Utilities provider GEBE gave the explanation people were requesting on the many power outages, but – perhaps conveniently – did so after the situation had normalised. “For now” was thankfully added to the
headline of the related story, also in light of recent experience.
It must be said, the technical issues with which the Government-owned company was confronted could be characterised by the saying “when it rains it pours.” Nevertheless, the reportedly late ordering of a new generator for whatever reason seems to have played a role too.
The new Chairman of the Supervisory Board, who appears to have a hands-on approach, was present at the press conference. He doesn’t think the plant manager should be bothered with keeping the population abreast until emergency repairs have been made and the electricity is fully restored.
There’s a certain degree of logic to that, but this is why most large energy suppliers employ communication professionals who give at least the minimum information. The latter helps reassure the community a bit that the problems are being addressed with the necessary diligence.
One can see how providing a reliable load-shedding schedule beforehand may be difficult under the extreme circumstances of the last close-to-two weeks and why social media might be a good vehicle for last-minute changes. However, there is hardly any denying that GEBE’s public relations still has room for improvement.
