Contractor did not abandoned the media team

Aug 18, 2009 Letters

Dear Editor,

Reference is made to your Saturday 15th August, 2009 edition, captioned “Minister abandons media team and contractor seeks to frustrate…..” in which a few points mentioned are not quite accurate and needs to be clarified:

(i) The contractor (Roopan Ramotar) was informed of the visit from persons within the Ministry of Agriculture, in which he was told to have a representative present that is familiar with the works. The contractor did so, but also decided that he can fit in part of the visit into his schedule – which he voluntary did. At no time was he compelled to be on this visit so it was a matter of choice he was there and should not be seen as though he abandoned the media team. Nor does he feel obligated to have told the media that he was leaving.

(ii) Before visiting the Philadelphia site (with the 1 and ½ mile walk as mentioned in the article) the convoy (some six vehicles) came through the Ruby Dam where one of the vehicles (i.e. the Region Chairman) vehicle got stuck (twice) and had to be pulled out. It is after this, that a call was made to persons on the Philadelphia location and asked whether the road was in a state to allow access by vehicles.

We were advised against this and the reason the site had to be accessed by foot. It is not until the team walked the stretch they were able to assess the condition of the road for themselves and decided that up to two vehicles can make it in without major damages to the dam. As such a call was made to one of the drivers who decided to drive in. This vehicle was then used to come out as is shown in your photo.

(iii) The advice against taking in persons on the motor bike was for safety since they were no helmets for the pillion rider.

It is felt that these points were left out and paints a bitter picture as though this action was intentionally done. We regret this interpretation and welcome your personnel/reporters to make follow up visits to this project.

Rovin Bhookmohan

Engineer