I HAVE noted with disdain recent ramblings by Messrs. Malcolm Alli and Charles Sohan regarding the construction of the new Hope/Dochfour channel. As a resident of Mahaica, who is often affected by flood waters, I find it totally outrageous for these two gentlemen to be questioning aspects of the construction of such a channel.
I would be happy if this channel can be completed so the people of Mahaica can be protected since I understand that

this new channel will alleviate the use of the Lama and Maduni sluices that lead into the Mahaica River.
These two gentlemen, Mr. Alli and Mr. Sohan should stop questioning aspects of this canal and make more constructive comments. In one instance, as was noted in the consultants’ response (CEMCO/SRKN’ Engineering), Mr. Alli was asked to be an adviser to the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) Board to which he refused which would have given him ample opportunity to be an integral part of projects such as the Hope project. Yet he finds the time to criticize the project.
It was these same two gentlemen who questioned whether the NDIA had the capacity to do the work. According to the consultants in their response, 83% of the channel has been excavated using NDIA’s equipment. While the piling alignment is of some concern, I am confident that the NDIA and its cadre of consultants and engineers would remedy this situation since many other outfall sluices have been built successfully.
I have followed with interest the debate concerning the construction of this additional outlet to the conservancy and find it appalling that persons are questioning its construction. Maybe, those persons need to live in the Mahaica and Mahaicony areas which are often affected when water from the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) is discharged to maintain the integrity of the dams.
We in Mahaica and Mahaicony have suffered losses amounting to millions and if the government of the day sees it fitting, as we do, to build such an outlet which would allow us to mitigate those losses then by all means we should go ahead.
Local and international experts have supported this outlet. It was disappointing to see the PNCR in earlier days questioning the need for such an outlet. For Mr. Alli (a learned engineer) to say that the structure will be a white elephant is appalling since this outlet gives hope to thousands of residents in Mahaica and Mahaicony. It would mean a better life for people in these areas.
It is time for persons to come out and say: “Give the NDIA Engineers and Consultants a chance to complete this useful project and stop the nitpicking”.