THERE is stealing galore taking place at the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (TTEC) in San Fernando.

And according to a spokesman for some concerned workers, the stealing is eating into TTEC’s profits and that is one of the reasons why consumers are now being called upon to pay increased electricity rates.

“From management to ordinary worker, they are corrupt and taking part in stealing of TTEC’s equipment on a regular basis,” the spokesman told TnT Mirror.

“They have been stealing tools, expensive parts and even money.

“According to the saying, they ‘tiefing’ wind; the only thing they have not yet stolen is a TTEC truck.”

The spokesman added: “We are puzzled over the high number of thefts and the inability of the authorities to catch the culprits, even though everybody knows who is doing the stealing.”

He pointed to a link between the stealing and corrupt senior management personnel, delinquent ordinary workers and contractors.

Mirror was told: “Sometime ago, 20 crimping tools were bought but before these tools were distributed to the regular workforce, all disappeared.

“In addition, basic tools such as hoists and grips, which are essential tools for overhead lines, maintenance and construction work, have disappeared from the stores and vehicles.

“Where do these tools and materials end their destination?”

He answered: “In the possession of contractors.”

The spokesman griped: “Honest, dedicated workers are feeling hard-pressed over the ‘tiefing spree’.

“Can you imagine that about five radios were stolen from vehicles?

“But that is small thing in comparison to a gear box that was stolen.

“To date, no one could say how and when that gear box left the compound.”

He added: “There are very dishonest workers, both at the higher and lower level.

“One particular foreman, who happens to be management’s blue-eyed boy, seems to have a way of getting off the hook.

“He sells materials, tools and streetlights.

“The only thing he hasn’t sold yet is a truck.

“Even the police reports on him have disappeared.

“We, the concerned workers, are convinced that senior management personnel are part of the arrangement with him because their contractor friends have to be well-equipped with tools and materials.

“This enables prompt delivery of their cut-back.”

He revealed: “Stealing in San Fernando TTEC goes way back in the past when hundreds of poles and transformers were used on what seemed to be legitimate jobs, because the instruct-ions came from senior personnel.

“But the truth is that all those jobs were illegal.”

He added: “There was a time when a particular driver and transport labourer used to collect material in Arima on a weekly basis and drop it off in cane fields in Central Trinidad.

“Each one of those workers received $1,000 on a Wednesday.”

The spokesman continued: “In August 2003, over $7,000 vanished from the office of a middle management personnel.

“Two persons were responsible for the security of the cash, a senior worker and a middle manager.

“Nothing came out of it except that both were made to repay half each.

“However, the worker was transferred from the department, while the manager remained there as a lord unto himself.”

He added: “But thieves continue to plunder the area.

“On the weekend of November 19 and 20, 2005, a brand new drill press worth over $15,000 together with a cutting torch and a grinder were removed from the welding shop.

“Imagine, a heavy piece of equipment like a drill press just disappeared in thin air.

“The State police were called in, but to date no one has been charged.

“Coincidentally, all the items that have been stolen come from the same department.

“Heads should have been rolling, instead, the management concentrates on suspending workers for getting injured on the job.

“Imagine that.”

The spokesman further noted: “Somehow, contractors are able to access tools and material that the regular workforce is unable to obtain to carry out legitimate jobs on a daily basis.

“So many times permanent workers are left idle because of a lack of tools, and contractors are hired to carry out their jobs using the said TTEC tools that were not available for the permanent workers.

“That has to be a strange arrangement and one that is costing TTEC money that could have been saved and used to prevent consumers from having to pay increased rates.”