Dear Editor,
Recent comments in the Stabroek News titled ‘Leguan at mercy of potholed roads, weak sea defences,’ dated Monday, November 1, 2010 are grossly inaccurate.
In 2009, representation was indeed made by farmers to the Minister of Agriculture and the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) which resulted in a decision to have the construction of a much needed sluice at Waterloo, Leguan which would adequately drain some 2,800 acres of agricultural land. However, with regard to the cost of $213M mentioned in the article, only Waterloo, Leguan was mentioned, when that cost covered two other major contracts as well, namely, the construction of another drainage structure at Amersfort, Wakenaam, and the rehabilitation and installation of drainage pumps at Greenfield, East Coast Demerara. Isn’t it ironic that these other areas were not mentioned in this article when in the same Stabroek News of July 22, 2009 this was mentioned? In fact the contracted cost of the Waterloo. Leguan drainage structure is only $41,519,670. If the Stabroek News had done its research, it would have found out this fact rather than implying an exaggerated cost.
With regard to the Stabroek News claims that work had stopped and that the structure appears to “hang in the balance,” this is not totally true since there was a sea defence breach in December 2009 which resulted in delays to construction. In addition, farmers from the Waterloo area had requested that during rainy periods the coffer dam at the drainage structure be opened to facilitate drainage for their rice lands. This methodology was agreed upon and drainage pumps were also installed to boost drainage. The removal of the coffer dam has resulted in further delays to the project; however, works have already re-commenced on the project which would be completed by the end of November, 2010.
The NDIA will continue to make necessary investments in order to support farmers living in the Leguan area and hopes that future comments by the Stabroek News will be clarified before publishing.
The Authority also takes this opportunity to commend Mr Maurice Veecock for his recent comments in the Kaieteur News and hopes that there are many more like him who recognize the many developmental works in the drainage and irrigation sector.
Yours faithfully,
Omadatt Chandan
Corporate Secretary
NDIA
Editor’s note
Contrary to what Mr Chandan claims, the report – which dealt only with Leguan – did not suggest that the sum of $213M was intended for Waterloo, Leguan alone. The relevant section read: “Last July, a $213M contract was signed in the presence of Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud and officials of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) for the construction of a drainage sluice at Waterloo, Leguan and the rehabilitation of other such structures across the Coastland.”