Dear Editor,
In response to my letter in SN of August 28, 2012 regarding my reservations on the use of geotextiles for coastal protection in Guyana, Dr. Homenauth of the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) stated “that geotextiles have been used for a wide variety of coastal structures in many parts of the World”. This may well be so but ‘one size does not fit all’. It is just that the technology has not been tried and proven to withstand the forces and tidal conditions that are unique to Guyana – a poor country whose limited resources should not be frittered away as Dr. Homenauth claims on one of the most exciting applications that can be beneficial to Guyana.
After all geotextiles application is not a cost effective alternative solution for traditional hard structures since the engineering imperatives to resolve the problems have not been satisfied. Plain and simple it is an experiment that Guyana cannot afford and if geotextiles are found to be successful elsewhere under similar environmental conditions, then they could be adopted with modifications if necessary. Guyanese should be aware that the European Commission is not wholly financing this project and public funding is part of the package, hence the need to ensure that the available resources are efficiently deployed. Further, a potent project mix of experimental geotextiles tubes for coastal protection, mangrove reforestation, development of cottage industries and tourism promotion is no way to improve the resiliency of the coastal zone. Efforts should be made to address one major problem at a time as the country does not have the human resources to manage and execute large diverse projects.
Finally, Dr. Homenauth claimed that selective tendering was used to invite contractors with marine construction experience to bid for this project. The laying of geotextiles tubes as the contract demands is not a complex operation that requires special marine expertise and therefore it is puzzling that many capable contractors in Guyana with the relevant experience were excluded from the bidding process. BK International – the Contractor who reportedly was awarded the job has had a checkered history constructing marine structures as is reflected in the Good Hope Stelling fiasco and delays in project completion on sea defence projects on the ECD and Essequibo Coast as well as the Head Regulator for the Hope Canal.
It seems therefore that the methodology and guidelines used by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board to shortlist contractors for selective tendering need evaluation and revision to reflect a sense of open-mindedness and fairness.
Yours faithfully,
Charles Sohan
