Dear Editor,
I refer to two letters carried recently in the Stabroek News concerning spraying with herbicides to maintain canals in the MMA area (‘The MMA canals should not be cleared by the use of herbicides’ by Bramdeow Singh (February 9) and ‘Alleged use of herbicides in MMA/ ADA canals must be clarified’ by Hamilton Green (February 12).
For some time now, we have been deliberately choosing not to respond to letters in Stabroek News, especially those from Mr Singh. His letters are always incorrect, and Stabroek News, even though they can easily check with us, they choose not to do so.
In addition, we are usually too busy with our work. However, since the letter from Mr Green is an indication that people who do not know Mr Singh or the MMA are perhaps being misled we have chosen to clear the air on this matter.
For the record we would like to state as follows:
1. The use of herbicides to maintain the MMA canals is strictly prohibited; any contractor doing so is terminated forthwith.
2. In the past there were only a few contractors who would hire others, our policy now is to employ as many persons as possible directly and usually the farmers themselves in the areas they cultivate.
3. There is no one who works at MMA that is contracted to clean canals. None whatsoever.
4. Since 2008 when the MMA resumed responsibility for maintenance of the secondary systems the RPA has been integrally involved in the identification, award and inspection of the work of these contractors.
No contractor is paid without the RPA representative approving and signing off on his work.
The foregoing should also suffice in response to the letter from Mr Hamilton Green.
Yours faithfully,
Eustace Saul
O/C – Abary/Berbice
MMA Operations
& Maintenance
