NewsWhore
11-30-2009, 03:10 PM
Hopes have been high that the new administrator of the State-owned Electricity Companies (CDEEE) would eliminate the state electricity consortium's vast payroll burden in the short term, but this is proving to be easier said than done.
Listin Diario reports that new manager Celso Marranzini has only been able to trim excessive salary payments in the corporate unit. The newspaper points out that there have not been significant payroll reductions in the transmission, power generation or rural and suburban electrification units (UERS).
Citing a report sent by Marranzini himself, the newspaper says that in July 2009 the corporate unit had a payroll of RD$45.5 million with 1,437 employees at the end of Radhames Segura's term. In October it closed with RD$34.2 million and 938 employees, for 499 fewer employees.
Nevertheless, while in July wages at the UERS totaled RD$22 million (672 employees), in October it had only been reduced by RD$2 million (keeping 723 fixed employees), or RD$1.1 million less a month. Listin Diario points out that this unit even has its own public relations department.
The report also found that there were cuts to the Blackouts Reduction Program (PRA), which was eliminated prior to Marranzini's appointment by Decree 421-09, following a major political patronage scandal exposed by TV journalist Nuria Piera.
Moreover, the report says that between August and October the current debt the CDEEE maintained with power generators and the average of arrears increased. The debt increased from US$395.8 million to US$450.7 million, which means that the government is not making the transfers to cover the deficit. The newspaper report concludes by saying that the IMF funds have alleviated the situation, and stable service can be expected for the rest of the year, despite the instability of the San Felipe (Puerto Plata) and Haina power generators.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#3)
Listin Diario reports that new manager Celso Marranzini has only been able to trim excessive salary payments in the corporate unit. The newspaper points out that there have not been significant payroll reductions in the transmission, power generation or rural and suburban electrification units (UERS).
Citing a report sent by Marranzini himself, the newspaper says that in July 2009 the corporate unit had a payroll of RD$45.5 million with 1,437 employees at the end of Radhames Segura's term. In October it closed with RD$34.2 million and 938 employees, for 499 fewer employees.
Nevertheless, while in July wages at the UERS totaled RD$22 million (672 employees), in October it had only been reduced by RD$2 million (keeping 723 fixed employees), or RD$1.1 million less a month. Listin Diario points out that this unit even has its own public relations department.
The report also found that there were cuts to the Blackouts Reduction Program (PRA), which was eliminated prior to Marranzini's appointment by Decree 421-09, following a major political patronage scandal exposed by TV journalist Nuria Piera.
Moreover, the report says that between August and October the current debt the CDEEE maintained with power generators and the average of arrears increased. The debt increased from US$395.8 million to US$450.7 million, which means that the government is not making the transfers to cover the deficit. The newspaper report concludes by saying that the IMF funds have alleviated the situation, and stable service can be expected for the rest of the year, despite the instability of the San Felipe (Puerto Plata) and Haina power generators.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#3)