The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) has reported that on several occasions this month, thieves have raided their headquarters located at Shiv Chanderpaul Drive and Regent Road, Georgetown.
GPSU Headquarters at Shiv Chanderpaul Drive and Regent Road, Georgetown
At a press conference on Monday, GPSU president, Patrick Yarde, said the robberies began on July 16, when a significant amount of cash was stolen from the accounts department.
He noted that, the previous Friday, an undisclosed sum of cash had been withdrawn from a city bank to be used to reimburse workers for travel purposes among other things, since the GPSU had been expected to host an executive meeting with members from all parts of the country.
Following discovery of the missing cash, the Police were called in.
The Union’s troubles did not end there, however, as thieves again entered the Union’s office and carted off a flat screen Sony television.
“The security (rank) that left at seven (19:00hrs) indicated that he (had) left the television downstairs and he (had) handed it over to the other security, but when he came back, the security was missing and the television downstairs was missing,” Yarde informed.
Police were again summoned on Monday morning, as yet another robbery had occurred. This time, the thieves carted off another Sony television and documents.
Yarde said the thieves had again attempted to open the Union’s safe, as well as gain access to other offices. Damaged door edges shown to the media substantiated the GPSU story.
Yarde said he believes the criminals have inside information. “To get to my office, you have got to go through three doors; and it is amazing how precise the things people are going for. How could somebody go to a cabinet… As a matter of fact, we are even looking to see what inside information may prevail…”
The union’s president noted that after the first incident, there had been no upgrade to the GPSU security systems, although surveillance cameras were purchased. The cameras, he said, will soon be installed.
