A transformer that was stolen from the Guyana Power & Light (GPL) was found installed at the new mall that was opened last December at the corner of Wellington and Regent streets and was removed yesterday.
The transformer being moved yesterday
A senior police source yesterday told Stabroek News that the police have launched an investigation into the discovery and that the owner of the mall was among four persons questioned. “…persons would be charged, we are conducting the investigation and it has been confirmed that the transformer belongs to GPL,” the police source said.
The hole made in one of the concrete walls at the Regent Multiplex mall so that the transformer could be extricated.
When Stabroek News contacted General Manager of GPL, Bharrat Dindyal he confirmed the discovery of the transformer but declined to go into further detail as the police are investigating.
Stabroek News attempted to contact the owner of the ‘Regent Multiplex’, Ganesh Ramlall, on his cell number on a number of occasions but failed. He subsequently called the number that showed up on his phone and spoke with the reporter covering the story. He denied that a stolen transformer had been purchased and further said “if anything end up in the Stabroek New you all guh know…” When asked why the transformer had to be removed from the mall yesterday morning he said that it had to be taken to Sophia to be tested.
Ramlall was told that the police have confirmed with Stabroek News that they are investigating how GPL’s transformer, which was identified by its number, ended up at his mall and that he was questioned. The mall owner said that this newspaper should make contact with GPL. Told that contact had already been made with GPL, Ramlall said “then dah is the correct people to talk”. He declined to say whether he had been questioned by the police and he then disconnected the call.
Stabroek News visited Ramlall’s mall yesterday and it was observed that a large hole had been gouged in one of the concrete walls so that the transformer could be removed and a number of workmen were preparing to move it. GPL employees along with a vehicle were waiting to retrieve the transformer while a mason was on hand to reseal the wall. Ramlall’s workers could not say why the wall was broken to remove the transformer and they said they were waiting for him to arrive at the location.
The police source said that Ramlall indicated that he had wanted a transformer to purchase and a man had told him he could get one for him. The man subsequently delivered the transformer.
Last February GPL had said that three new transformers were vandalized and that intelligence had resulted in 10 others being found at a Middle Road, La Penitence scrap dealer which resulted in several arrests. Other were also said to be missing.
In a press release the company had said it continued to be alarmed at the theft of its T&D equipment and in the past month it has noted that three transformers in the Kingston area that served the Government
Food and Drug/Analyst Department were illegally de-energised and vandalized. The company had said only bits of metal remained of the transformers as thieves had carted off the shell, core and windings.
The company had said that it took as long as 60 weeks to receive replacement transformers from manufacturers. It had said too the “costs for replacing these transformers are astronomical, and continue to place a heavy burden on the company’s finances.”
A few days later the company had fingered a gang that it said was linked to the theft of transformers and other metal-based materials from its Sophia depot.
“We have discovered the whole operation. We have identified the group and we know who the individuals are. They are on the run from the police and some of them have actually abandoned their homes at Sophia,” Dindyal had said at the time.
wow what a shame why would you buy some like this from some outside person for such a big mall. now look how embrassing this is for you
You sure right but you know if it was Mark BENSCHOP he would have been jailed or anyone else who speak against this government.Nothing will happen to this big supporter.We need a government that cares for all.
One people…do you want to indetify a govt that you think will be for all the people…I feel so too but not sure if there is any?
None of these things cannot happen with Government Knodage, Get hold of Ross kemp’s video that he has made around the world including Guyana and the PPP Govrenment.
This is nothing strange, somebody took money and sell the blasted thing….it’s how the world operates these days…money makes it go around!!
SandHurst, you know that GT, sure has a lot (MONEY)these days.
Star Hurst, you forget one other thing, it is not just money, it is SEX and MONEY that runs the world, (BILL CLINTON)
Who is going to charge Ramlall with what ..he is home free.
he say he didnt know was xformer.he bought wire for hang ting in the mall,and clothe at home.he was storing it at the mall.
dem boys connet the ting and it wuk.he did know wrap on a core is xformer.he tink dem lil boy wrap the wire to fetch it.
as a matter of fact he is a inventer,that is whe he sn to watch it.
this is funny and not so funny. funny that a stolen transformer (or alleged as stolen) is found at the new mall; not so funny to realize that they would steal the shirt off of one’s back. they just thief and steal just about anything from any where or any one. this is so sad because the country will not strive towards betterment if there are blatant disregard for other’s prpoerty.
people steal because they r people willing to buy.if there r no buyers for something that big it would not get stolen.so the buyer is as guilty as the thief.
Ah! It is going be interesting to see whether this outstanding citizen and party supporter is charged for receiving stolen property.Or will his case jacket be sent to the DPP for advice and lost away under all the others she has waiting to give advice on?
rat, where did it say that he is a party supporter? What do political affiliations have to do with this case? He allegedly bought stolen property and the sellers and buyers should both be charged.
MUD why bring politics in this, if he indeed received stolen goods as alleged then let the law take its coarse
PATT for your information, no one does not have to ask about some business men and women in Guyana. You cannot go forwarded unless you connected. Rat is right, let us see what happen here. Can you remember when Paul Slow took away a PPP supporter gun in Berbice. This is what MUD RAT is talking about.
Its a case for the Crime Chief who was quote in this paper talking about his inability to solve crime. He does not need professional support here. Its a straight case for him…no fine jail time, nothing more or less.
The GPF should start digging to find out if there are other illegal activities going on here.
The signs are bad when the owner can dare to threaten a national (international?) publication such as the Stabroek News.
maybe he has the backing from higher up,if your’re connected in guyana then you have power.
He dos’nt have any power now, they took his TRANSFORMER away.
for crying out loud this is still going on in this poor country where is the watchman charge his butt first .then fire the head of department and all heads under him
They’re not called WATCH-MAN anymore in Guyana, They’re called SECURITY GUARDS. LOL!
I guess this is how ‘businessmen’ evolve from market vendors! ‘Businessmen’ spread the word that a transformer (or whatever) is needed, and bam! The item is produced, bought at half-price and installed. No questions asked. Now an equally ‘business-like’ lawyer will defend the mall-owner.
“if anything end up in the Stabroek New you all guh know…”
so classy from the Bourda Mmarket vendor turned mall owner
Classy indeed, Hall, sorry, Mall of Shame owner.
I am really not suprised because this seems to be the rule of the day. Mr. Ramlall really think people are naive, how can you have such a large building going up and not seek authentic documents for items you buy. Mr Ramlall proceeded to issue suttle threats to Stabroek News when asked questions, why?