PHILIPSBURG--Utilities company GEBE presented light emitting diode (LED) energy saving light bulbs to five senior citizens at its Walter Nisbeth Road office on Thursday.
Also present was Home Away from Home President Patsy Flanders. Member of Parliament (MP) Maurice Lake also was scheduled to be present for the presentation, but he had to attend a Parliament meeting. Lake has been a staunch supporter of the senior citizen relief programme GEBE initiated.
LED bulbs are energy-efficient and a rapidly-developing technology. They use only 20-25 per cent of the energy and last up to 25 times longer than the traditional incandescent bulbs.
GEBE will be giving out 800 energy-saving LED light bulbs to 160 senior citizens who received vouchers that were given out at its December 20 event at Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise and Cargo Facility. Each senior citizen who has a voucher will receive five light bulbs.
GEBE’s Commercial Manager Iris Arrindell is reminding those who received vouchers to take them to GEBE’s Walter Nisbeth Road (Pondfill) location to receive the LED bulbs. She said seniors would see a reduction in their utility bills, as this would contribute to lower usage and lower bills at the end of each month.
GEBE personnel installed LED light bulbs in 30 homes belonging to senior citizens in 2014. This was the company’s first experience of this nature, which led later to the introduction of the senior citizens relief programme.
The senior citizens relief programme on utility bills currently is being re-evaluated and has been halted temporarily. Arrindell said the programme had to be structured properly so all who met the requirements could take part in the programme.
Lake said, “The NV GEBE initiative to provide our senior citizens with LED energy-saving bulbs is to be commended. The majority of seniors in our community live from an old-age pension which is very low and many of our seniors struggle each month to pay their utility bills. This initiative will further reduce their monthly utility bills.
“I would also like to stop the rumour about the senior citizens relief, as people are getting confused. I am very confident that the senior citizens relief programme that NV GEBE started will continue after they re-evaluate.
“After a certain time things have to be re-evaluated which is understandable, but I think that this should now lead to this programme becoming permanent for our seniors in 2016. As a member of the Coalition of Eight, I will take a stand to make sure that the senior citizens relief will become permanent as soon as possible. We need to take care of our seniors and assist them.
“There also need to be NV GEBE service offices in key districts such as the Cul de Sac Basin and Belvedere, which would enhance service for customers.”
More than 60 seniors already have turned in their vouchers for bulbs. The bulbs are being distributed to those who participated in the senior citizen relief programme.
