Forty attacks on GT&T cables in 90 days

The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company Ltd says that there have been forty attacks on its cables in 90 days, the latest being yesterday morning in Better Hope South, ECD.

In a release, GT&T said that one span of cable was removed resulting in service disruption in Better Hope South.

It said that approximately US$2M has been spent on repairs caused by vandals this year and the number of disruptions this year has impeded the installation of 350 new lines and repairs to over 300 faults. It pointed to several other incidents.

“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 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.

“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.”

The telephone company urged Guyanese to be vigilant and said that a vandalism hotline has been set up. The number is 0908.