The President of the Republic, José Raúl Mulino, held a meeting with the president of Naturgy of Spain, Francisco Reynes and Sebastián Pérez, representative of the company in Panama.
Since the government, President José Raúl Mulino has echoed frequent complaints about the quality of electricity service, specifically in the case of the two distributors and marketers operating in the country: Naturgy and ENSA.
Even the president said he was serious after Naturgy if he did not correct the service. And my only message is to be told I’m serious. I’m serious after Naturgy if it doesn’t correct. And that they are clear that all options are on the table, Mulino said on August 8 of this year.
In recent months, fines have been imposed for the poor service and blackouts experienced by both companies by both companies. The fines applied by the National Public Services Authority (ASEP) reach $14 million in the case of Naturgy and $7.3 million to ENSA.
In this context, President José Raúl Mulino received senior directors of Naturgy at the Palacio de Las Garzas on Wednesday, November 13.
Specifically, he met with the president of Naturgy of Spain, Francisco Reynes, and Sebastián Pérez, representative of Naturgy Panama, who was suggested for this position by the Panamanian government itself, with whom he addressed the need to improve the service that this company provides to users in the country, in the face of complaints about deficiencies and damage to electronic equipment in households.
Precisely about the meeting, President Mulino said in the weekly conversation with the media, which he personally and collectively expressed the complaints that are being made about “the terrible service” that Naturgy are providing in the country. They are very aware of the poor service to the light user, that they must have access to deliver a consonant service, first with the price that is not cheap and second with their responsibility as concessionaires of the State to provide electricity to the Panamanian people.
In this regard, he said they expect the quality of the electricity service not only to Naturgy, but also ENSA, to improve in six months.
“I hope in the next six months to see an improvement, if not, because I will make other decisions (…) and what I say for juan applies to pedro, on the other side to ENSA,” warned the national president.
He said ASEP will deliver a guide to the huge flaws and discontent. He also said they pledged to improve public lighting in all cities and areas of the country. Shouldn’t we disburse for it.
The president was very clear in pointing out to them the discontent of the population, of the clients, regarding the service that is being provided, in this case Naturgy, knowing that the other company has a similar situation, said the Minister of the Presidency, Juan Carlos Orillac, who participated in the meeting, along with Zelmar Rodríguez, general administrator of the National Authority of Public Services (ASEP), and Juan Manuel Urriola, national secretary of Energy (SNE).
During the meeting, which took place in the Palacio de Las Garzas, the directors of Naturgy promised to improve the service and make the investments that are required in Panama to meet the demands of the users, added Orillac.
He reported that in coordination with ASEP an investment programme will be implemented with a timetable as at 31 December this year and includes the care of national luminaires that have been lost in time, while the maintenance and repair work on the lines of the system will extend until February next year.
It also provides for the construction of new dual-circuit lines at specific points, so that, in the event of maintenance, the service is not affected.
The president of Naturgy Panama, Sebastían Pérez, highlighted that the visit of the company’s top manager, based in Spain, confirms the interest they have in Panama and contribute to the benefit of the country.
We are working hand in hand with the regulator on plans that we have called immediate, which are already being implemented until February, and that we are all betting on the same thing, because every time the quality of service is improving,” he said.
According to Perez, energy demand has contracted a little more, perhaps because of the rainy season. However, it foresees a growth of between 3% and 4% in the coming years, taking into account the new projects that will enter into operation, such as Line 3 of the Panama Metro or the projects that are part of the aggressive plan of investments in infrastructure of President Mulino’s government, such as the David-P Panama train and the development of purification plants, among others, that benefit the country and contribute to electricity consumption.
This article was translated after first appearing in La Prensa