(Stabroek News):

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is threatening to halt its Unserved Areas Electrification Programme (UAEP) if the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc. cannot vastly reduce commercial losses, and if consumers don't speedily pay their connection fees for new service.

"The IDB has put us on notice that there will not be any further expenditure on grid connectivity until the take up on grid connection is much higher and commercial losses come down and there [are no obvious signs] of electricity being stolen," Prime Minister Sam Hinds said during an interview with this newspaper Monday.