Lethem in blackout due to fuel shortage

Last Updated on Saturday, 26 December 2015, 20:59 by GxMedia

Lethem is experiencing widespread blackout for several hours due to a fuel shortage because a bridge collapse one week ago has prevented a tanker from continuing its journey to the southern border township.

Region Nine Chairman, Wilson Lorentino hoped that workers would complete a bypass to allow the fuel tanker to leave the area. “Right now, I see a message on my phone that there will be blackout because of a fuel shortage because a bridge broke down,” he said.

Te Lethem Power Company earlier Saturday advised residents there that there would be no electricity from 7 PM Saturday to 5 AM Sunday.

While Lorentino could not say how soon the fuel would arrive, he was relying on the Ministry of Public Works to build a bypass around the collapsed log bridge in the Mabura-Kurupukari area to allow  heavy vehicles to pass. Only light vehicles are currently passing the area.

Mekdeci Mining Company (MMC) is responsible for the maintenance of the road and bridges in that areas.

A usually reliable source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Demerara Waves Online News that “unfinished emergency work by MMC on the Linden-Lethem trail was contributing to the shutting down of the Lethem Power Company because of the fuel shortage.” The source said MMC was waiting on Demerara Timbers Limited (DTL) to supply the logs.