…as power company expresses frustrationMark Anthony August GPL workers remove illegal connections at the scene of last Sunday's electrocution. The Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) says that last Sunday’s electrocution of eight-year-old Mark Anthony August highlights the enormous challenge the company faces from determined electricity thieves.In a statement issued in the wake of the incident, the power company said that neither its appeals nor raids, arrests and prosecution of hundreds, have served to reduce the prevalence of electricity theft.August, of Annandale Railway Embankment, perished around midday Sunday after he came into contact with an illegally connected electricity wire, which led to a house in the area.The errant homeowner, who reportedly vanished from the scene,Jerseys NFL Wholesale, is now in custody as the police await a post mortem examination before proceeding with charges.Residents lamented the fact that despite several complaints to and interventions by the power company, the illegal connection had still existed.But according to the GPL, its personnel did previously visit the area.“On July 31,Cheap Jerseys Online, 2010, GPL’s personnel accompanied by the Police visited the Annandale North area and removed illegal connections.Two persons were arrested and are currently before the court,” the GPL said in its statement.This newspaper was reliably informed that the homeowner connected to Sunday’s incident was not one of those charged.According to the GPL, despite its constant raids in Sophia,Cheap NFL Jerseys China, particularly Cummings Park and Section D; North and South Ruimveldt; Friendship E.B.D.; Plum Park; Angoy’s Avenue; Kaneville; Soesdyke and Annandale North, illegal connections are replaced within one day.The company said that for years it has been warning that the illegal networks pose an ever-present danger to everyone in the communities in which they are located, particularly children.The GPL noted that the recent amendments to the Electricity Sector Reform Act 1999, which are currently before Parliament, are wide ranging and when enacted would impose stiffer penalties for stealing of electricity, including prosecution of perpetrators of electricity theft (meter tampering, by-pass and illegal connection).The GPL is again appealing to the public not to be involved in the establishment of illegal connections/networks,Wholesale NBA Jerseys, since electricity is extremely dangerous and the probability of death or serious injury is always high in cases of illegal connections.“Yet another family mourns the death of a loved one at the hands of unscrupulous electricity thieves. GPL wishes to express its deepest sympathy to the family of Mark Anthony August,” the GPL said.***********************Gender-based violence workshop starts today The Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security (MLHSSS) in collaboration with the United Nations Development Fund for Women, will be conducting a gender-sensitising workshop today at the Carifesta Sports Complex, Carifesta Avenue.The event will be hosted for youth participants as part of a project aimed at reducing gender-based violence in communities, especially against women and girls.Under the theme “Strengthening State Accountability and Community Action for Ending Gender-based Violence in the Caribbean” the Ministry will address the relationship between violence and gender.According to the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, twenty youth participants from Regions Four, Six and Ten will benefit from the first three-day workshop to be held in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport from today thru Thursday at the Carifesta Sports Complex.After the workshop participants will return to their communities where they will conduct four one-day workshops with their peers on the issue with support from the MLHSSS and their respective organisations. Participants will include representatives from organisations such as Artistes in Direct Support from Region Four, Comforting Hearts, Region Six,Supply NFL Jerseys Factory, and the Youth Friendly Spaces,Soccer Jerseys From China, Regions Four and Ten.