Roadside vendor attacks Works Ministry demolition staff

Jun 12, 2014 News

Police on the East Coast Demerara are preparing to charge a roadside vendor who attacked an employee of the Ministry of Public Works, injuring him in the process while he was carrying out demolition work last Friday.
The incident occurred when workers from the Ministry attempted to remove the meat vendor from the Government reserves at New Hope, East Coast Demerara.
According to the Ministry, four days before the incident, the vendor was given a “Notice of Violation” with respect to the erection of the permanent structure on the reserve, the penalties risked and necessary steps needed for approval to erect any structures.
The Ministry said that the vendor refused to comply with the notice, which prompted the Ministry to demolish the permanent shed he had built.
But in a show of defiance, the vendor placed a stand and continued to sell at the location.
On Friday, Ministry of Public Works employees informed the vendor that he had to move and as they were in the process of removing the meat knives and cutters, the vendor pulled out a meat saw and attacked the staff.
One employee sustained a cut to his right arm.
The matter was reported to Cove and John Police Station where an investigation was launched.
Police sources have indicated that the vendor claimed that the workers approached him without any form of identification. He said that he was just protecting his property.
Meanwhile, the Ministry reiterates that the unauthorised erection of billboards and structures on the road reserves, property line to property line is an offence by the law. These structures are a traffic hazard to both motorists and pedestrians.
Anyone desirous of erecting any structure within the road reserves MUST obtain written approval from the Chief Works Officer with the Ministry of Public Works.

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Latest News