Sept. 27–CASTRIES, St Lucia — On Tuesday, the Saint Lucia Electricity Services Limited (LUCELEC) cut the supply of electricity to the up-market Cotton Bay Village Resort at Cap Estate. The 74 room property, according to LUCELEC corporate communications manager, Roger Joseph, “was disconnected for non-payment of bills in arrears.”
This action precipitated the accommodation of guest elsewhere, mainly at Coco Palm Hotels and Bay Gardens Resorts and Spa. The number of guest transferred was not immediately known, however, low occupancy was reported at the time, while employees were sent home, uncertain of what would come next.
According to Joseph, “LUCELEC does not take such decisions lightly in sensitivity to the various issues at stake. But despite our best efforts to work with our customers to help them manage their accounts, LUCELEC has to make some tough decisions at times if we are to continue to provide the quality of service that our customers rely on.”
The incident nevertheless appears to indicate that dialogue and effective communication broke down, resulting in a situation that may resonate in an unpleasant manner locally and internationally.
A subsequent press release from the board of the Plantation Beach Condominiums at Cotton Bay Village stated that electricity was restored within 48 hours.
“We sincerely apologise to guests and residents for any inconvenience and upset this has caused and we will continue to work closely with LUCELEC to ensure there is not a reoccurrence. Cotton Bay continues to operate as a high quality resort and we can assure our guests and the people of Saint Lucia that they will continue to receive a warm welcome and wonderful experience here at the village. We also wish to thank the loyal team at Cotton Bay for their support and commitment during this time,” the release said.
The temporary disconnection and reconnection at Cotton Bay Village Resort comes at a time when Saint Lucia is experiencing negative economic growth coupled with 24.9% unemployment, at a time when hotels on the island are either undergoing renovations, experiencing low occupancy, while others are practically closed.
The situation in Saint Lucia is by no means unique. Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) executive chairman Leslie Miller last week warned three large hotels to pay their outstanding electricity bills or face disconnection.
Miller said BEC is struggling to pay its fuel bill, which exceeds $100 million, noting that the hotels collectively owe the corporation $30 million. Bahamas faces total power shutdown
“I indicated that those major entities, that is the hotel sector in this country, would either pay their bills or I was going to the extreme measure of having them disconnected,” he said.
