Last Updated on Friday, 9 October 2026, 15:14 by Writer
The Guyana Power and Light (GPL) was Friday mum on calls by residents of Meadowbrook Gardens for suspension of gas-to-energy transmission line works over safety and health concerns including the possibility of cancer.
“Residents remain deeply concerned about potential electrical safety hazards, the proximity of transmission infrastructure to residential properties, possible restrictions on the use and enjoyment of their homes, and the implications of long-term exposure to electromagnetic fields.
We believe that where reasonable alternatives may exist, potential risks and unnecessary proximity to homes should be properly evaluated rather than dismissed,” they said.
They backed up their health concern by citing information from the World Health Organisation (WHO) specialised cancer research agency, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), that states classified extremely low-frequency magnetic fields, including those associated with electricity transmission systems, as Group 2B — “possibly carcinogenic to humans.”
“This classification was based primarily on epidemiological studies identifying an association between prolonged residential exposure to elevated magnetic fields and childhood leukaemia,” the residents said in a statement.
GPL’s executive team leader Kesh Nandlall did not immediately respond to queries about how the power company was addressing the residents’ concerns.
The community accused the power company of breaking its promise to suspend works.
The Meadowbrook Gardens Community Group said they were outraged and profoundly disappointed over the resumption of works involving the installation of major electricity transmission lines through their residential community, “despite commitments made during a recent meeting with project representatives that works along the disputed section would be halted.”
They said that latest development was particularly troubling because residents have been requesting meaningful consultation since February, raising legitimate concerns about the proposed transmission route, its proximity to residential properties, potential health and safety implications, and the availability of alternative alignments.
“Despite months of requests, fundamental questions remain unanswered. Yet construction activities have resumed,” the community said.
The residents said they questioned why the transmission lines, previously proposed for another community where objections had been raised, were subsequently rerouted towards Meadowbrook Gardens.
Residents say they also questioned why the project could not utilise the existing reserves bordering Meadowbrook Gardens, which may offer an alternative to routing major transmission infrastructure through established residential areas.
They also want to know why these existing reserves have not been utilised or adequately evaluated as alternative routes.
“These are reasonable and important questions. To date, residents have not received satisfactory explanations, technical justifications or supporting documentation addressing either issue,” they said.
Meadowbrook Gardens residents say they are living in an established residential community where children regularly play outdoors, families gather on their lawns, and residents host community activities and events.
“These are not vacant or unused spaces. They are essential parts of our homes, neighbourhood and daily lives.
Based on information presently available to residents, the proposed transmission lines may pass a few feet from our homes and areas used by road users,” they said.
The Meadowbrook Gardens community made it clear that they are not opposed to the gas-to-energy project but were upset that the GPL had ultimately blanked their concerns.
“Our homes are not simply points on an engineering drawing. They are where our families live, our children grow and our communities thrive,” they added.
