The minibus on fire (Guyana Critic photo)
A disconnection crew from the Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) was forced to flee yesterday after a Buxton resident torched the minibus they were using.
The incident happened some time yesterday afternoon. GWI’s Managing Director, Dr. Richard Van West Charles, confirming the incident, said that the staffers were badly shaken up and may need counselling.
He said that crews were in the area conducting disconnection exercises. They were using a minibus that was contracted from a private individual.
Kaieteur News was told that the crew disconnected water supply to a yard.
A male neighbour, who was upset at disconnection came out of his yard and threatened the crew. He reportedly then doused the minibus with what appeared to be gasoline, and then set it afire.
The crew, number more than six GWI employees, was forced to flee.
The suspect reportedly fled the scene and the police are hunting him.
Buxton has always been a problematic area for GWI and the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL), another state-owned company.
For years, especially during the crime wave, no disconnection crews dared to enter the area because of threats and the presence of criminals.
GPL had started talks and works in the area.
With regards to GWI, according to the Managing Director, they have been engaging residents of Buxton with meetings held as recent two months ago.
The official stressed that the neighbours were not hostile. Rather, the aggression came from the one individual who was also reportedly wanted by the police before the incident yesterday.