Over the past week or so, news spread like wild brush fire that some utility companies would proceed to terminate or suspend services to customers who have been struggling or unable to pay their bills. When the news broke, many people were frantic and on edge, as they desperately depend on their utility services. Now, in the normal scheme of things, one would be able to understand why the utility companies would terminate or suspend services for non-payment; but truth be told, nothing is “normal” about these times.
As a matter of fact, minus the few complacent persons, by and large the reason that a vast number of our citizens have not been paying their utility bills is simply because they can’t — they can’t afford it. Point blank. These are some extremely critical times, and many of our people have lost so much and are suffering much strife and undue pressure. They simply cannot find the money to pay these bills, hence the reason it hasn’t been paid.
These people have lost so much and are continuing to lose amid these turbulent and uncertain times. While many have seemed to move on and proceeded seemingly unaffected with the normal course of their lives, a wide cross-section of our populace continue to fight to survive day to day. Let’s not forget that wa lotta wi pippl di teck wa serious lick and they simply are unable to make ends meet.
So, to learn that some utility companies have proceeded to terminate and suspend services to their customers is most disheartening and disappointing. It’s a most egregious thing to do to the poor and most vulnerable at a time when they have lost their grip and are struggling to survive. It’s like we are “kicking a man who is already down” through no real fault of his own. It aches my heart to learn of such a travesty, and it rattles me to my core to know that our poor and vulnerable will be further subjected to increased destitution.
My God, can’t we have and show mercy on our people in these trying times? We have got to do better than this! You mean to say that there’s no way we can offer some tangible form of reprieve to those who need it? I mean, if they were paying all along fairly well and stopped paying 10 months ago, why would they need to “come in and prove” that they need the assistance?? If they stopped paying, that simply means they can’t. It’s not rocket science.
Regardless of whether the bill is fifteen dollars or one hundred and fifty, if there is a non-payment, it means that they can’t afford it. You can’t in earnest goodwill look at someone and tell them that the bill is only fifteen dollars and that they must be able to make a payment. Don’t you know that nothing from nothing, leaves nothing? Oh, the blatant hypocrisy! It’s easy for full belly to tell hungry to kip haat, but you’ll never understand the different levels and stages of groans than one goes through day in, day out.
It’s as simple as this: don’t cut the people out, mein! In many instances, that’s all they have left. The little water that pours from the tap and the jangling bulb that flickers above, giving an all too often dim light that mirrors little to no hope. Come on, you big giant companies. Have mercy on the poor people. Show some heart, not muscle. If the people dey cudda mi pay, dey mi wa done gih unu unu money! But they can’t. They lost everything. Empathize with them and work something out. After all, aren’t all these companies for the people of this country, anyways? Have mercy, Breda! Don’t cut the people out!
Unchained Reflections Of a Liberal Pragmatist.
God Bless Belize!