– says article is reckless, mischievous and malicious
CHAIRMAN of Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) Mr. Julius Faerber has lashed out at the Kaieteur News for what he describes as reckless, mischievous and malicious reportage contained in an article that appeared on page 10 of the Sunday, August 30 edition of the KN.

According to a release earlier this week, Faerber said the article captioned “Regional Chairman admits using sub-standard materials to repair bridges-West Demerara farmers fed-up with poor infrastructure” is a gross attempt to mislead the public.

The regional chairman categorically denied he admitted that sub-standard materials were used to repair the bridges.

He pointed out that the sum of $3.2M was allocated for maintenance of three bridges at Coglan Dam, First Run and Windsor Forest.

Faerber noted that some of the existing materials (beams) were certified by the Regional Engineer as being sound and these he noted were used on the structure.

The Chairman stated that the bridges were in very bad shape and farmers were calling for rehabilitation of the structures.

The statement added that on the issue of when the bridges were rehabilitated, a farmer from the area Mr. Jitlall Ramraj can testify that the bridge at Coglan Dam was done “during” the last crop and not after the last crop as stated in Kaieteur News.

On the issue of draining dams, Faerber said he was shocked into disbelief because it is a well known fact that the Drainage and Irrigation Task has been draining dams in the rice farming areas across the region.

He noted that Nismes Middle Walk Dam, La’ venture Access Dam as well as the access dam from Coglan Dam to Windsor Forest, among others were drained by the D&I task force.

In addition, the regional chairman noted that the Vreed-en-Hoop/ La Jalousie and Den Amstel/Hague Water Users Association were each given $600,000 to assist in upgrading dams in the rice growing areas during the first crop of 2009.

With regard to the “check structure”, Faerber informed that when the contractors were contacted, they accepted responsibility and promise to do remedial works.

The chairman further explained that “crush and run” were placed on the Coglan Dam and Windsor Forest farm-to-market road during the first rice crop of 2009 and observed that much needed relief was given to farmers during the harvesting season.

In terms of the Bulldozer, Faerber said it is currently working at Parika Back Dam, and that during the last rice crop of 2009 the bulldozer prepared dams between Vergenogen and Geenwich Park to facilitate farmers. Her also assured that the administration would continue to prepare dams for the second crop.

Meanwhile, the regional chairman is calling on Kaieteur News to retract its story and issue an appropriate apology.