Fallen GPL wire kills cattle at Enterprise

Mar 02, 2011 News

– residents express fear for children

It could have been children who went to retrieve their ball, but thanks to their diligent observations, they managed to avoid coming into contact with a severed power line which resulted in the electrocution of four cows, aback of Section ‘C’ Enterprise (Venezuelan Housing Scheme) on the East Coast of Demerara.
And despite repeated reports to the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL), the wire remains in a dangerous position, much to the anger of residents of the community.
One resident, Althea Grannum, told this newspaper that she was compelled to call in the media after the authorities appeared not to show any concern for their welfare.
The woman told Kaieteur News that on Monday when she returned home her children informed her that several animals were dead aback of the village. She said that residents were struck by the smell of the carcasses during Monday, so she was not so surprised. What surprised her, though, was that the animals had all been electrocuted by a severed electrical wire, since Sunday.
Grannum said that since the stench was unbearable, she decided to contact several government agencies for help.
“I call the President Office and they put me on to a man whose name I cannot recall but the Secretary told me that he is not in office and she could do nothing,” Grannum stated.

The severed electrical wire and two of the dead animals remain much to the annoyance of residents.

She said that the secretary advised her to “contact the City Council, as if that would help”.
She explained that in her desperation she looked into the directory and came up with a number for Kaieteur News, which she subsequently contacted.
According to Grannum, another resident indicated that she had contacted the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated and they indicated that they had cut the power to the severed line. But from all appearances no one from the power company bothered to look into the matter, since the wire could be clearly seen still connected.
“The wire is still there. If they cut the power they should have pulled the wire away,” Grannum stated.
She said that the area where the animals were killed is a normal grazing ground for cattle.
Children will sometimes venture there to retrieve their balls while playing cricket not far away.
“The children were playing cricket in the next street and the ball went in there and that’s how they noticed the cows there,” the woman said.
This newspaper tried to contact the GPL Victoria outlet but the telephones rang out.