The Guyana Power and Light (GPL) says it is concerned that when the high voltage power lines in Sophia burst and fell the squatters dwelling on Engineering Dam could have been injured.

GPL, in a press release, said at around 7 pm on Wednesday two faults on the high voltage mains created a series of minor events within the distribution system in Georgetown that disrupted power supply to areas in the 50 and 60 hertz systems. The company said linesmen could not access the burst mains because they found squatters dwelling directly under the high voltage lines. The company said most areas were repowered within the hour and the communities that are powered directly from the damaged circuit were repowered by 10.30 pm and by 6 am Thursday morning from alternative circuits.

GPL said the squatters on the Dam have, for years, been retarding the repair and maintenance of those power structures and it has repeatedly informed them of the dangers of dwelling at that location and had implored them to move. The company said it started major maintenance work over three weeks ago on the high voltage transmission network in the area and its work is being hampered by the squatters. It said notices served on the squatters in 2005 were largely ignored; however, it is again pleading with those living under or within 20 yards of any high voltage line in the power distribution corridor, in and outside of the city, to remove their structures. GPL said the burst wires could have been repaired on the night of the incident had it not been for the encumbrances.