Latest update November 23rd, 2024 1:00 AM
Latest News
Police to accompany GWI disconnection teams, if need arises
The burnt minibus in Buxton
Following Thursday’s attack on seven Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) workers who were carrying out disconnections in Buxton, East Coast Demerara, Managing Director, Dr. Richard Charles Van West-Charles, said yesterday that the Guyana Police Force has committed its support to work with the company to ensure the safety of its officers who are fearful of entering certain areas to conduct similar operations.
At a press conference at the GWI boardroom yesterday, Dr. Van West-Charles told the media that, after assessing an area and finding it to be of high risk, the police would be informed, through GWI’s security consultants, and support would be given to workers.
He said that there were four violent attacks on GWI workers for the year 2017 and the one attack for 2018 which occurred on Thursday (March 15). All of those incidents, he said, occurred on the East Coast of Demerara.
Dr. Van West-Charles told the media that the attacks are not representative of the people of Buxton,
He said that it is his belief that it is time for citizens to raise their voices and action to be taken to ensure the law is respected and maintained to support the change for the betterment of all citizens throughout the length and breadth of Guyana.
“This matter cannot be tolerated by anyone; this level of lawlessness will not and must not intimidate the work of GWI,” Dr. Van West-Charles said.
“GWI has to continue to disconnect and continue to get into the villages to be able to conduct repairs among other things,” he emphasised, while adding that these actions must be done in partnership with members of the community.
On Thursday, seven of the water company’s workers were attacked while conducting disconnections in Company Road, Buxton.
During the exercise, a man, who is said to be the cousin of one of the persons whose water was being disconnected, attacked the workers with a cutlass. He later began throwing a liquid, which the men suspected to be gasoline on the bus which was used to transport the workers. After dousing the bus with the substance, the bus was set ablaze by the men, using a cigarette lighter. The workers were forced to leave the community. The matter is now in the hands of the Guyana Police
According to Dr. Van West Charles, persons in the Buxton /Foulis District owe a sum of $34M in arrears.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
Let us not be silent witnesses!
…Peeping Tom kaieteur News- Ray Daggers walked from Corriverton to Charity. It was a journey so epic it might have... more
Rising Gun Crimes in the Caribbean: Urgent Action required by all
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News – There is an alarming surge in gun-related violence, particularly among younger... more
Weekend Cartoon
