I wish to respond to an article in the Kaieteur newspapers dated Thursday, July 16, 2009 titled “$154M sluice contractual works completed… Ministry, contractor differs on extent of payout.”

I wish to bring to the attention of the public that this article is misconceived and false since my company, Roopan Ramotar Investments, has received 90% of monies of the value of complete works (where 10% is held for retention purposes) which is equivalent to 80% of the entire contract sum as was mentioned by the minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud at a recent press briefing on Wednesday.

In addition, I wish to bring to attention of this newspaper that the sluice can be operational if need arise. In fact, we have asked NDIA to write to Guyana Sugar Cooperation (GuySuCo) for the cooperation o begin using the sluice at intervals since there is a buildup of stuff leading to the month of the sluice.

The structure at the sluice is a firm one which any engineer could attest to. In fact, the cracks that were mentioned in a previous article by the Kaieteur Newspaper are misconceived since they are not cracks at all but construction joints.

We have already built two double door sluices at Westbury and Golden Fleece on the Essequibo Coast through EU funding and were given High praise for the work done and De Willem is no different. My company is the only local company who has constructed sluices of this nature and complexity on the sea coat of Guyana within recent years. I cannot see why the newspaper would see it otherwise but can only consider this as being mischievous and devious.

Revetment works are ongoing and after the sluice comes into operation with a natural waterway being formed only then the preparatory works for the groyne will begin.

I urge the newspaper in the future not to make any hasty generalisations and seek clarifications before making any publications.
ROOPAN RAMOTAR