Cummings Lodge was vandalized
| – US$2M expended in repairs in 2011More than 40 vandalism attacks on Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) cables and equipment over the last three months have caused the company approximately US$2M in expenditures for 2011, GT&T revealed in a recent statement.The company stated that the volume of disruptions in 2011 has pushed back installation of 350 new lines, and repairs to over 300 faults.Several acts of vandalism on telephone cables have left a number of communities without service even as GT&T laments the unnecessary delay in its expansion schemes due to wanton vandalism, vandals have again struck on the East Coast of Demerara.GT&T, on Tuesday morning, received a report of a 300-pair Distribution Cable in Better Hope South, East Coast Demerara, being vandalized. Approximately one span of the cable was removed, resulting in disruption of service to several customers in that area.The telecommunication company stated that on Saturday a 300-pair Distribution Cable, outside 245 South Road, between Albert and Oronoque Streets, was vandalized disrupting customers in the area. And on Friday vandals struck a 200-pair Distribution Cable on South Road, between Camp and Wellington Streets, affecting several customers including Demerara Bank and Citizen’s Bank. Repairs were effectively carried out and service was restored by 18:30 hrs the very day.In addition, two weeks ago a 400-pair Distribution cable in Sugrim Singh Road, Cummings Lodge was vandalized, affecting customers in Oleander and Shamrock Gardens. In June a 600-pair Distribution cable in Sugrim Singh Road, Cummings Lodge School Road, South of the Railway Embankment was also damaged, affecting close to 400 customers of their telephone, internet and emergency services.“We encourage communities across Guyana to be vigilant in looking out for these vandals and helping us protect our equipment so that we can offer vital telephone services to our customers. There is so much more we can and want to do but we are prevented by wicked acts such as these.”GT&T stated “We want to assure our customers that the errant acts of vandals will not deter us from our commitment to providing our quality service to Guyana. We are cognizant of our strong customer base and we will continue to make every effort to ensure they have the best telephone services the country can offer.”GT&T added that the company urges all Guyanese to be vigilant and to immediately report any suspected acts of vandalism of GT&T’s cables and equipment to our ‘Vandalism Hotline” number – 0908. |
