GWI disconnection crew attacked twice in city

Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) says workers contracted by it to conduct disconnections were attacked in the city in two separate cases this week.

According to a GWI statement issued yesterday, on Wednesday, contractor Winston Jones and his team of were carrying out their orders when they were attacked by several customers at Hibiscus Place, West Ruimveldt. It said a resident tossed an object at one of the female workers, who was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where she was treated for injuries to her head.

The following day, the disconnection team went to Luckhoo Street, Lodge Housing Scheme, where members were threatened with cutlasses and Jones and two others were injured. They were forced to flee the community and subsequently reported the attacks to the West Ruimveldt Police and East La Penitence police stations.

As a result of the attacks, GWI Chief Executive Officer Dr Richard Van West-Charles has said the company would be pursuing full legal action against the perpetrators. “We cannot condone these violent attacks against our contractors,” Van West-Charles was quoted as saying in the statement.

When Stabroek News visited the two areas, residents refused to comment on the attacks.