Dear Editor,
I refer to Mr Allsopp’s letter captioned “If the pattern of erosion is studied it is possible to predict where it will occur and plan maintenance accordingly” (08.04.06) on the subject of my earlier response on the recent sea defence overtopping and to state that I joined the Hydraulics Division as a Civil Engineer in the 1960’s and not as a Structural Engineer as claimed by him.
I replaced Lawrence Charles as the Project Engineer for the design and construction of the East Coast Sea Defences that were in the process of being re-aligned. At that time the Roads and Hydraulics Division were together and known as the Ministry of Works and Hydraulics. He was deputy to Mr Naraine who was the CWHO.
I later became Specialist Engineer Designs responsible for the design and construction of all sea defences and drainage works within the ministry. The numerous drawings and designs prepared and signed by myself are still in the Hydraulics Division and can attest to my expertise.
Mr Allsopp’s expertise is limited to soil mechanics applicable to Guyana only unlike myself who has worked all over the world.
I was at that time also a Chartered Structural Engineer and I recall him instructing me in 1972 as CWHO to continue the design process for the National Cultural Centre after the Local Consultant he employed was unable to handle the complexity of the structural design.
I can understand Mr Allsopp’s support of the rip- rap structure since he was the soil consultant supervising the construction on the West Coast Demerara by the Italian Contractor in the 1990’s.
Photographs taken soon after at Philadelphia and other areas show a complete failure in all areas where the rip-rap was built, yet he maintained the structure was sound.
Yours faithfully,
Malcolm Alli
