Work has been stopped at all sites where pipe-laying was taking place on the lower East Coast Demerara in light of recent kidnapping as measures to boost security are examined.
Heightened security at work sites is a hot issue following the recent kidnapping of two expatriate employees of firms contracted by the Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) to work on its ECD water project.
Kenrick Baboolal called 'Pannu' and Lalchan called 'Coz', both Trinidadian natives, were snatched in March and April respectively and later released after the payment of hefty ransoms by their employers. Both subsequently returned to their homeland.
Speaking with Stabroek News on Thursday, DIPCON official, Dr Gerald Webb confirmed that workmen from their company sub-contracted to undertake the pipe laying exercise had ceased work owing to security concerns.
According to Dr Webb, the company which contracted them to undertake the work, United Engineering Services Limited (UESL) had written to GWI following the first kidnapping outlining security needs for staff in light of the situation on the ECD.
They had requested that GWI put in place adequate security measures to guard against the incidents which have marred their operations in recent weeks.
Repeated efforts by Stabroek News to solicit a comment from GWI proved futile.
Webb, recalling Lalchan's abduction, said that the man was part of a group of DIPCON employees and was snatched from a worksite west of the Coldingen road in the vicinity of Strathspey/ Vigilance.
At the time the workmen were laying a pipe to link a large water channel as part of the project to rehabilitate water systems in the general area.
Lalchan, he confirmed, was taken by his captors to the troubled village of Buxton from where he was later released after a sum of money was handed over hours later.
While declining to disclose the actual sum paid for the foreman's release, Webb did acknowledge that it was paid over somewhere in the village of Buxton.
Sources have told Stabroek News that the ransom paid was $2M.
Lalchan, he said, was eventually released a short while after the cash was dropped off in the village.
Following Lalchan's re-lease, police sources had told Stabroek News, he was whisked away by company officials who never bothered to brief them about the details of his capture and eventual release.