Duncan is Vinlec top employee

Rodney Duncan, Lineman 1, copped the prestigious St.Vincent Electricity Services Limited (VINLEC) Employee of the Year Award last Monday night.

He received the prize at VINLEC’s Annual Awards Ceremony that was staged at the Kingstown Methodist Church Hall.

Duncan was awarded the electricity company’s top prize from a quartet of nominees, which also included Hassan Williams, Technician, Avalon Morris, Technical Support Officer and Leon Seales, Fitter 1.{{more}}

Kendal Brewster, Lineman 1, who joined the company 38 years ago, was recognized for his longstanding service. He received a standing ovation from current employees and retirees who attended the ceremony.

Desmond Lewis, Fitter 1, and Franklyn Williams, Electrician 1, were honoured for their 30 years of service.

Employees, Malcolm Melville, SCADA Controller, Steve Wyllie, Manager Customer Services, Elton James, Lineman 2, who rendered 25 years of service were also awarded.

Awards were also given to employees who served for 20, 15 and 10 years.

Douglas Cole, VINLEC’s Chairman, lamented the fact that most of the company’s employees did not turn out for the ceremony.

Cole used the opportunity to warn staff about hoarding information for themselves.

“It is not part of the strategy of VINLEC and it should never be encouraged,” Cole noted.

“My challenge to the staff is that I want you to pledge your duty to help others,” said Cole.

Clayton Burgin, whose new ministerial portfolio includes VINLEC, commended the management and workers for the “tremendous” work that they have been doing for St.Vincent and the Grenadines.

“I know the company is always coming in for a lot of licks in terms of charges coming in on the bills, but one thing I’ve known from VINLEC is that they ask you to conserve,” Burgin stated.

As the new minister commended Thornley Myers, Chief Executive Officer of VINLEC and the staff for the work that they put in, he indicated that he is looking forward to the day when the burden on consumers will be reduced.

Myers, explaining the hike in electricity bills nationwide, explained that the cost of fuel is 31.2 cents per unit, a record 150 per cent increase over a two-year period. This factor has resulted in domestic customers feeling the pinch of a 30 per cent increase on their bills.

“Fuel cost caused the increase,” said Myers as he explained that the burden of electricity is not only felt by customers but members of staff also, since VINLEC employees do not get rebates.

Myers noted that while the company is making a profit it is not doing as well as it ought to do. He said the revenue for 2005 up until October stood at $79 million.

He said factors external to VINLEC inhibit the company’s capacity to compete as it should.

Myers disclosed that while VINLEC suffered energy losses of 8.9 per cent last year, it successfully recorded one of the highest fuel efficiency rates in 13 years. The feature address was given by Barbadian Dr. Denis Lowe.