Demonstrators took to the streets yesterday morning to protest against recent increases in the cost of electricity.

About 50 residents gathered outside the headquarters of electricity supplier Belco on Serpentine Road in Hamilton from 7am.

Many carried placards with slogans such as “Enough is Enough” and “Let’s take back our power”.

The protest was organised after Belco announced an increase in the Fuel Adjustment Rate component of its fees, which will increase monthly bills by about 20 per cent. The increase kicked in on October 1.

Sean Smith, who helped organise the demonstration through social media, said he was motivated to take action by an elderly neighbour.

He said: “She was upset by the Fuel Adjustment Rate and said it was outrageous and that she couldn’t take it any more.

“She asked me what we could do and so I said that we should organise a stand-off or a strike to make a stand.”

Mr Smith acknowledged that the turnout was low, but added: “This is just a stepping stone, this is just the beginning. I feel confident that we’ll get results in the long run but right now we’re just disappointed with this government.

“They are a runaway government who have completely forgotten who voted them in. David Burt really hasn’t shown up. He isn’t doing enough.”

Another participant, who asked not to be named, said that her electricity bills were already costing her more than $900 a month.

She said: “I’m not a rich person but because I have a big house, Belco put me on Tier 3. I’m a senior citizen and my pension just doesn’t cover it. I’m just sick and fed up with a whole pile of stuff in this country right now.”

Many protesters said they were angry not only with the latest price increase in fuel but also broader issues such as the cost of living, low salaries and a lack of property to rent.

Several referred to Belco’s latest increase as “the straw that broke the camel’s back”.

Karen Smith, a Southampton resident, said: “This island is getting sicker and sicker — physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

“Things had better shift before more people drop like flies. This kind of stress on people is not what we need right now. This can’t go on. This is not sustainable.”

Rolfe Commissiong, a former Progressive Labour Party MP, agreed.

He said: “We have lost a parishful of people who have left Bermuda and migrated to the UK and are now permanent residents there.

“And I think most of those have left because of the ruinous cost of living in Bermuda. It says to me that either the Bermuda economic model that we have known for the last four decades at least is broken and if not, it’s certainly unsustainable.

“So we need root-and-branch reform, because the people who are catching hell in Bermuda are those at the bottom of income distribution and that squares neatly with the racial disparity in Bermuda, because those mostly at the bottom of income distribution are Black Bermudians.

“Look at the turnout here — we ignore it at our own peril. It’s just ironic that this is happening under a labour government, although there’s no daylight in terms of ideology or social policy between the PLP and the OBA now.”

On Friday, Walter Roban, the Minister of Home Affairs, said that he had launched an inquiry into the latest increase. He said he had written to the Regulatory Authority, asking it to explain why it approved the new rate.

At a press conference he also repeatedly emphasised that the Government had no responsibility in setting electricity prices.

But the opposition One Bermuda Alliance has questioned that assessment.

Douglas De Couto, the Shadow Minister of Finance, pointed out that the Government drew up legislation governing the independent RA and that Belco president Wayne Caines is a government MP.

Dr De Couto said: “While the Government and Belco have stated many reasons for these increases and may be technically following the various policies and laws, the outcome speaks for itself. These prices are clearly untenable for many people in Bermuda, who are already struggling.

“The Bermudian people should ask, is the Regulatory Authority, and by extension, the Government, which appoints the commissioners and creates the laws that govern the RA, truly providing the best outcome possible in the national interest?

“With a board appointed by the Government and with a sitting government MP serving as the Belco CEO, it’s clear that the responsibility for these high costs lie solely with the PLP government.

“There are many other important questions to ask, some of which have already been raised by the public.

“For example, is Belco choosing more costly fuels to reduce its emissions and passing those costs straight through to the customers, rather than install the proper equipment to reduce emissions for the long term?

“Have the government-appointed RA commissioners allowed Belco to make investments that are not suitable for Bermuda and then saddle Bermudians with higher costs to make a return on those investments?

“Are the government-appointed RA commissioners allowing Belco to pass on the costs of mistakes in planning and investment to the public, rather than its own shareholders?

“Finally, does a regulated monopoly with a relatively risk-free income stream even merit the rate of return that the government-appointed RA commissioners are allowing for Belco, and which, ultimately, is paid for by the Bermudian public?

“With respect to any protests or public actions, it should be self-evident that we support the right of all Bermudians to protest and assemble peacefully. However, we do not condone violence of any sort, whatsoever.”

A number of security guards were on duty outside Belco’s plant this morning, along with several police officers. The protest passed off without incident. A second demonstration is planned for tomorrow.

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