– Company says it expended some US$2M to effect repairs caused by vandalism this year
EVEN as the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company Limited (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, in a statement, said it received a report yesterday morning of a 300 pair Distribution Cable in Better Hope South, East Coast Demerara being vandalized.

The company said approximately one span of the cable was removed, resulting in disruption of service to several customers in that area.

On Saturday, a 300 pair Distribution Cable, outside Lot 245 South Road, between Albert and Oronoque Streets, was vandalized disrupting customers in the area and on Friday last, 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.

GT&T said repairs were effectively carried out and service was restored by 18:30 hrs the very day.

It noted, too, that 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, another 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.

“Our records indicate that there have been more than 40 attacks on our cables and equipment in 90 days which is cause for alarm,” GT&T said in a statement.

“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,” the company lamented.

It said approximately US$2M has been expended to effect repairs caused by vandalism this year and the volume of disruptions in 2011 has pushed back installation of 350 new lines, and repairs to over 300 faults.

“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,” GT&T stated.

“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,” the company added.
GT&T said it sincerely regrets the “needless inconvenience these malicious acts have rendered and we urge all Guyanese to be vigilant and to immediately report any suspected acts of vandalism of any of GT&T’s cables and equipment to our ‘Vandalism Hotline’ number – 0908.”