Govt toughens stance on streetlight theft ahead of new installations

As the government expands its nationwide streetlight installation programme to enhance community safety, it is adopting a tougher stance against the theft of these public assets.

This was disclosed by Minister of Public Works Juan Edhgill today ahead of the installation of several more streetlights across the country.

Speaking during a live broadcast from Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD) where a fresh shipment of the streetlights is being stored, Edghill disclosed that the government will be taking a tougher stance against the theft of these State properties.

“I want to make it very clear: Anybody who’s being caught with stolen Government of Guyana lights, you will face the full force of the law. As a matter of fact, part of what we are going to be doing now…is that every light that is leaving this compound for installation from today will have a special laser mark…,” the minister said.

He revealed a recent incident which took place at a roundabout on the Heroes Highway, where within days of the installation of ten streetlights, three became stolen.

“Of course, we have to follow up with the police to make sure we get images from the cameras and the rest of it. But this has been happening around the country, where the 18,000 [streetlights] have been laid out. Persons have called us and indicated to us, the lights have gone up, they have enjoyed it for two, three days. And when they come out on the veranda the third night, the light is not there…So, we are improving on our marking, because in order for us to prosecute people who are found with these lights, we need to ensure that we have a secure marking,” Edghill explained.

The minister is also encouraging citizens to utilise the ministry’s hotline 624-2964 to report incidents of stolen government property.

“You can call, send images, as well as give information. And we promise you, your information provided will be treated with the utmost confidence, and the security forces will have to do their job,” he noted.

Meanwhile, the Public Works Minister said once the streetlights are properly marked, they will be installed at locations countrywide. However, he did not disclose which areas will benefit.

“We have dozens of contractors who have the capacity with their bucket trucks to help to install, and this is being done on a fixed rate basis,” he noted.

The government had procured 100,000 streetlights for installation across the country of which some 18,000 have already been installed in various communities.

Minister Edghill reminded that this programme is in keeping with a promise made by President Dr Irfaan Ali to improve security across the country.

“President Ali and the PPP/C government made a commitment that we’re going to improve citizen security and community security. And apart from the other initiatives through the police force and the other law enforcement agencies to improve community security and citizen security, one of the initiatives was the installation of streetlights to ensure that in communities where people traverse and our main roads where people have to move, it’s properly illuminated and that we reduce the risk and the incidence of theft, harassment, or any criminal activity whatsoever,” he expressed.