"Gimme Di Light" - that was the PUP's theme song leading up to the 2003 elections and though it wasn't a manifesto promise, it is one promise the party has lived up to. Last night we told you about the government's Cuba-sponsored programme to lower light bills by giving away hundreds of thousands of florescent light bulbs to replace the traditional incandescent type. Tonight, we'll examine the programme, it's pros and its cons more closely - as what can be called the Cuban light revolution hit Lake Independence.
Alfonso Noble Reporting,
The captivating sights and sounds of Cabinet Minister Cordel Hyde and Prime Minister Said Musa changing light bulbs at a home on Fern Lane amidst a throng of Cuban volunteers, BDF soldiers, media advisors and media personnel.
Rt. Hon. Said Musa, Prime Minister
"It is a very happy day for all of us."
A happy day because as a result of their light bulb changing program which is being sponsored by the government of Cuba they will be replacing incandescent bulbs with these energy saving fluorescent models. To get everyone on board, the Prime Minister as well as the Lake I Area Rep themselves tagged along for the light bulb changing experience.
Rt. Hon. Said Musa,
"I was approached by the Cuban government to find out whether we were interested in the project and we negotiated the project and so it is also a clear indication of the tremendous very mutually beneficial relationship that we enjoy between Belize ands Cuba and I want to signal that that relationship continues."
Hon. Cordel Hyde, Lake I Representative
"We have enough bulbs for the entire country, for all households but we're starting in Lake Independence and I am mighty proud of that. It is an official launching, to signal to people that we are coming, we will need a lot of cooperation in this regard because we can't just show up at people's houses and say I want to your bulb."
Dawn Sampson is the public relations officer for Belize Electricity Limited, she says that contrary to what may be perceived, using less electricity is good for everyone.
Dawn Sampson, BEL
"The benefit that energy conservation will result in will far outweigh any impact on revenue. So it is in the best interest of the company and customers to practice energy conservation. From the company's point of view, it is eases the pressure on our system and of course the cost, it reduces the energy consumption cost for customers."
Dawn Sampson,
"They consume less electricity, second they last longer, five to six times longer than a regular bulb, third you pay less for electricity and fourth it produces less heat. So it is a very recommended bulb. We cannot waste more electricity, the energy resources are disappearing so we have to face this problem all together."
Rt. Hon. Said Musa,
"It will have a direct impact of bringing down the cost of electricity immediately."
And while Musa can boast of an immediate effect on electricity bills the truth is that changing bulbs does little to alleviate record high electricity bills that have been brought on through his successive governments.
Rt. Hon. Said Musa,
"I don't see it as any kind of sick joke. It is one of those situations, of course we are committed to bringing down the cost of electricity and we are determined to do that. And as you know, as soon as the cost of energy goes down, we are passing it on to the consumer."
We won't hold our breath on that what we can do however is rest assured that with the turning of these bulbs, these devices will be turning less.
The Cuban government also implemented the programme in Jamaica where it donated 250,000 fluorescent units.
7NEWS produced for broadcast by News Director Jules Vasquez
Edited and Prepared for the internet by Keith Swift
