freeport, Grand Bahama- Fed-up consumers, led by Operation Justice Bahamas, intend to converge on the grounds of the Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC) to-day with their damaged goods and demand a refund.
The proposed demonstration was prompted by repeated power outages residents have experienced over the past week.
Operation Justice Bahamas Founder Troy Garvey, during his Saturday morning radio show, "What's Happening" on COOL 96FM lambasted the power company for its inability to adequately supply the needs of its customers.
As a result of the frequent outages, several customers have reported that their household appliances and electronics have been "fried" or are no longer operational and meats and grocery items spoiled.
As a means of letting off steam, residents called in to the hour-long show to complain.
"Who is going to replace these things," Garvey questioned. "An apology is unacceptable, they need to do more. It is time for us to stand. We're going to fight this week and make sure that people are credited on their bills for appliances lost and their groceries lost."
One male caller spoke of the damage his surge protector received allegedly as a result of the outages.
"I lost power to my desktop monitors and my Vonage phone. My surge protector literally melted," he said, adding that he has also lost a compressor.
Another caller phoned in to say the country deserves much better.
Garvey said they intend to march around the building and admonished Grand Bahama residents to wake up and stand up for their rights.
"We will be demonstrating. I will be applying for a permit as of tomorrow and we will be back there on a Friday again," he told The Freeport News on Sunday.
"Too much people are affected by this and they want us to pay for their mistakes."
Announcing that they in-tend to hold another town meeting, Garvey called for the residents of Grand Baha-ma to unite and make a difference.
"We could stop them from taking advantage of our brothers and sisters. It's been too long," he said.
Garvey also charged that the company is unable to keep the power on and is intending on increasing the power bill.
A female caller echoed Garvey's cry.
"We have to stand together, they have to come out to these town meetings, voice their opinion (and) get things started. But everybody (is) in their corner and they are afraid to speak up," she said.
While Operation Justice Bahamas intends to an-nounce the date, time and place of the town meeting soon, Garvey said they also plan to fight for the power company to reopen the outlet in Eight Mile Rock which serviced the people of West Grand Bahama.
"Ever since they shut that suboffice down, it has been an inconvenience to the people, especially the elderly who have to go into Freeport to pay their power bill," he said.
He questioned how the power company can provide such a disservice to the people who reside in the biggest settlement in Grand Bahama, as it now costs them more to have to get into Freeport to pay their power bill.
Garvey is insisting that the people's voice must be heard.
"We have to stand firm in our country and stand together, that's what I keep fighting for," he said, pointing out that the people want the power company to be truthful and hear their concerns.
