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Scrap iron thieves arrested after destroying river defence structures
Drainage official, Patrick Sugrim, pointing to footprints and the revetment punts that were damaged by scrap iron thieves earlier this week.
The police have arrested several persons, who raided Belle Vue, West Bank Demerara, earlier this week stealing sections of metal punts used as river defence structures.
Regional and agricultural authorities yesterday expressed alarm at the developments and are calling on police to lay charges against the persons caught.
From all indications, said Patrick Sugrim, a drainage and irrigation official from that area, the persons caught were scrap iron workers looking to make a quick buck.
There are an estimated 30 punts lining the Belle Vue sea dam that were placed there since the 1970’s.
The removal of any of the punts, used as revetments, could have disastrous implications to the West Bank area as already there are huge gaps visible in wood pilings lining the dam.
Sections of punts which due to the high tide, were almost covered, were seen to be missing.
Sugrim disclosed that on Tuesday, around midday, residents saw several men in the area.
The men used a mobile welding torch to cut into punts.
However the police were called. Before they could have arrived a passing patrol was alerted and several men were detained in the area after being surrounded.
A pickup and the welding torch were also taken away.
Residents said that they were unclear whether charges have been laid since the men were released the same day.
Yesterday, several strange persons were again seen “liming” in the area but left after they observed residents were paying attention to their activities.
Yesterday, Region Three Chairman, Julius Faerber, confirmed that he was called to the area and expressed alarm at the damage. The official said he will be following up the matter with the police.
There is a high incidence of damage to infrastructure as the demand for scrap iron grows on the international market.
In Guyana, authorities had stopped the trade and both the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company and Guyana Power and Light Inc. have complained of a high incidence of vandalism.
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