I refer to two letters carried recently in the Stabroek News concerning spraying with herbicides to maintain canals in the MMA Area.  
“The MMA canals should not be cleared by the use of herbicides”, by Bramdeo Singh (Stabroek News February 9, 2013) and        “Alleged use of herbicides in MMA/ADA canals must be clarified”, by Hamilton Green (Stabroek News February 12, 2013)] For sometime now, we have been deliberately choosing not to respond to letters in Stabroek News, especially those from Mr. Singh.
His letters are always incorrect, and Stabroek News, even though they can easily check with us, they choose not to do so.  In addition, we are usually too busy with our work.  
However, since the letter from Mr. Green is an indication that people who do not know Mr. Singh or the MMA are perhaps being misled, we have chosen to clear the air on this matter.
For the record, we would like to state as follows:
1.    The use of herbicides to maintain MMA canals is strictly prohibited; any contractor doing so is terminated forthwith.

2.    In the past there were only a few contractors who would hire others;our policy now is to employ as many persons as possible directly and usually the farmers themselves in the areas they cultivate.

3.    There is no one who works at MMA who is contracted to clean canals.  None whatsoever!

4.    Since 2008 when the MMA resumed responsibility for maintenance of the secondary systems, the RPA has been integrally involved in the identification, award and inspection of the work of these contractors. No contractor is paid without the RPA representative approved and signing off on his
work.
The foregoing should also suffice in response to the letter from Hamilton Green.