Nicaraguan energy crisis

Features, Sociology

Nicaraguan energy crisis
By Tyler James Girouard

While visiting Nicaragua over spring break (2008) our group had the privilege of meeting and speaking with a Consumer Rights advocate from Masaya named Roger Lacayo. We discussed many social issues and problems that needed to be taken on head first, the most prominent issue, energy. During the discussion the leader made a comment about how funds for a radio program (about $180 a month) to help spread information and educate the public would be a huge step forward. Many of my peers were taken aback to learn that purchasing time on a radio station could come at such a small price. You could feel that we wanted to make a contribution — it was in the room that we immediately felt connected to this man and were open to his words.

Mr. Lacayo began to describe the situation as very grim. The Spanish-owned electric companies were coming in to take over and monopolize a country. This was horrifying for us because we could already see the people of this country struggling. They do not need business people looking to take advantage of people without the means to take their energy business elsewhere. The companies installed thermostats in every house that were about three hundred dollars each, but they didn’t even work. They showed numbers that were not real; therefore, people were charged unfairly for their energy use.

Lacayo was a content and interesting person even though he was discussing detrimental topics he came across cool, calm, and collected, which is something I admire in any individual. For people to have a social leader representing them with this demeanor can only help their situation. I noticed that social issues are being taken on headfirst (not fist first). He made it clear that his goal was to outsmart the Spanish, not out muscle them with violence. War is not good for anyone and they intend to avoid harming the human race.

One of the ways he wanted to outsmart the foreign-owned company was to paint every thermostat in the country red that was installed by the Spanish electric company Union Fenosa, this way there would be no way to read the meter (or charge adequately). He said this hurt them immensely; maybe this time they would install a machine that read the numbers as they were. Regardless, people were still being taken advantage of, by being charged high prices for energy they most certainly did not use. My friend Brynne Keith-Jennings, who is living in Nicaragua, agreed. She also said that the companies don’t waste any time at all to cut off your energy. Although the contract stated that 48 hours would be given to the home owner to settle unpaid bills, this was hardly ever the case. They would rush this process and cut off your energy, probably to collect in the future more money to re-connect the energy. The only way to stop this would to post outside your home where the eclectic company trucks would part and intercept their actions, but this is very difficult because often they would come early in the morning, or when most people are at work.

After having one of the most interesting discussions of this trip, we could not help to feel overwhelmed with emotion. I could see the hardship on his face. I could see he cares and loves for the people of his country, a country of which he has much pride for. I was so happy to hear that our group made a donation — us being the hopefuls that we are. Maybe this radio program can and will make a change.

This trip had an overwhelming theme — educating the youth. We hope to be a part of that.

mwalsh @ April 10, 2008