Dear Editor,
A recent front page publication in the Kaieteur News of December 11, 2009 titled ‘Unused $153M De Willem sluice falling apart’ is both mischievous and misleading to the public. It seems as though this is part of a concocted effort by this newspaper aimed at bringing disrepute to the agriculture sector and moreso the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA).
On a recent visit to this drainage infrastructure on December 12, 2009 by the NDIA’s engineer, project consultant SRKN’gineering and representatives of the contractor Roopan Ramotar, the situation was much different than what was being portrayed.
It is to be noted that even before this publication, when this newspaper contacted the CEO (ag), NDIA and provided him with a picture of the winch; he indicated that a thorough investigation would be carried out to substantiate the report as well as a response will be provided to the Kaieteur News. Despite this, the newspaper still went ahead with its publication without carrying out any proper investigation. Is this professional journalism?
However, we wish to bring some clarity to this publication. During the visit to this drainage facility, the winch was found to be intact and in good working order. For clarification, the winch was not structurally fabricated for any connections between the gear arm and the winch barrel at the outer cylindrical edge of its flange. It would have been expected that the anonymous engineer who had advised this publication on this sluice would have indicated that the winch is structurally intact. This is shown in the picture above of the same existing De Willem sluice winch.
In the process of applying paint material to the gear arm and winch barrel, there was spillage between the surface of the two components and when operated this material was displaced since it was not required to stay in position. As such, the gaps evident are not structural cracks but the separation of paint which is not required to stay in position at this junction and which in no way will affect the performance of the winch.
As such, this newspaper’s publication of a sluice “falling apart” is but a myth, since it is far from the truth. In addition, the winch was used previously to lift the door of the sluice.
This publication is aimed at driving fear into farmers and residents living in the area and the NDIA will not allow Guyanese to be misled since it is making every effort to enhance drainage potential around the country as more and more sluices are being built. Again, the NDIA is thankful for public monitoring of its many projects but would prefer constructive comments being made. The NDIA is always open to accommodate any credible person or engineer to conduct an independent inspection of the sluice as we have been doing on all our projects and other drainage and irrigation programmes.
Yours faithfully,
Omadatt Chandan
Corporate Secretary,
NDIA
