This layman has no intention to enter into the professional intricacies of the public dialogue between Charles Sohan/Malcolm Alli and R.B Latchmansingh/Dr Krishna Narine over the construction of the much-touted Hope canal. However, he reserves the right to comment on a different dimension as it affects the likelihood of bias.

 The latter two named consultants in their response to what they claim as erroneous assertions by the first named, observed: “it should be noted that the NDIA informed us that before commencement of the project, Mr. Malcolm Alli was asked by the NDIA to act as an adviser to the NDIA Board, but their offer was rejected.”

Mr. Alli is a highly regarded hydraulic engineer and served with distinction during the Burnham years. His experience in this field of expertise must be considered as invaluable. Over the years, his written interventions to the press could not be easily over-looked. It is therefore quite disappointing to note he rejected the offer from the NDIA to act as an adviser in the Hope Canal project.
If one were to follow the contending positions adopted by the two sides, it would appear that the official consultants, CEMCO, represented by Latchmansingh and Dr Narine satisfactorily answered the erroneous assertions (as described) by Alli and Sohan,
What then is the real motive of Alli and Sohan in creating such damaging alarms over the credibility of the quality of work being done on the construction of the canal?
This scenario is not unlike other examples of major government projects such as the Berbice River Bridge and the highly successful housing programme, the highly beneficial Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and the One Laptop per Family benefiting most of Guyana, particularly the small man.
It is a senseless exercise being adopted by certain high profile citizens, including of course, the opposition politicians and to which the government has become accustomed.
What is wanted and expected is genuine display of patriotism by all right-thinking Guyanese; moving Guyana forward should be the prime motive, not the kind of bias that will lead us all to despair.