FOISTING THE HOPE/DOCH FOUR CANAL ON THE PEOPLE

Feb 07, 2010 APNU Column, Features / Columnists

The challenge facing the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) is the finding of engineering solutions for relief from the dangers of overtopping of the East Demerara Water Conservancy, (EDWC), during periods when there is a high accumulation of water therein.

THE COST AND THE OPTIONS
The truth is that there are options other than the construction of the High Level Foreshore Discharge Option, commonly referred to as the Hope/Doch Four relief canal. The initial estimated construction cost, before the final design and evaluation steps have been completed, of this canal is $3.6Bn.
However, if account is taken of the cofferdam required for the eight-door sluice; the sea defence protection concrete walls at least 100 feet on both sides downstream of the outlet sluice; the length of the drainage channel and embankment over 10kms long; the road diversion with a high level pre-stressed concrete bridge along the main roadway; the access road for construction; and, the access bridges across the canal, the cost is likely to be in excess of $4.Bn.
It is evident that the government, through the NDIA, is determined that this should be the only option for construction, despite the uncertainties and risks which are associated with this solution. Very sparse financial analysis has been made available. No Environmental Impact Assessment has been done and, consequently, there is not an Environmental Management Plan.

THE FRIGHTENING RISKS
The major and most frightening risk is the likely catastrophic consequence of a breach of the banks of this high-level canal, which, for eight of its 12 miles, would be about nine feet higher than the surrounding terrain.
Such a breach, apart from the possibility of the loss of lives, could cause considerable loss or damage to housing and other built infrastructure. It will also disrupt the livelihoods and well-being of the inhabitants in the surrounding communities of Doch Four, Two Friends, Hope/Lowlands and Ann’s Grove.
As is to be expected, the residents of those communities are very concerned. This is particularly so because they were not satisfied with the explanations given to them for the location of this high-level canal through their community that poses such a serious threat to their existence and well-being.
This concern motivated more than 260 inhabitants to sign a letter to the Minister of Agriculture and Government of Guyana since April 2009, but, to date, in the usual display of insensitivity and arrogance, there has been no response.

THE CONSULTANTS’ REPORTS
The Consultants stated in their Report, that “the client instructed the Consultant to continue the design of the Relief Channel based upon the deep foreshore option and maintaining the width of the way-leave. Concerns were however expressed on excavating an outfall channel 2.5 km in length and maintaining it at an invert if 14.00m GD”.
They further stated that “a much shorter relief channel route is possible between Flagstaff and the Mahaica River” and that “it is possible that drainage in the Mahaica could be improved in the lower return period events.
“The Mahaica option would also need maintenance, but that requirement may not be any greater than the maintenance required for the Hope/Doch Four options. The capital cost of the Flagstaff – Mahaica relief route would be significantly lower than that of the Hope/Doch Four relief.”
Experienced and knowledgeable engineers have pointed out that the proposed Canal at Hope/Doch Four will not remove the flood risks from the EDWC but it could provide some measure of flood relief if it is operated in conjunction with the Lama and Maduni Sluices discharging into the Mahaica River.
In addition, the main Consultant, Mott MacDonald, recommended that the long discarded Cunha and Kofi sluices, on the East Bank, should be put back into operation before the construction of the Hope/Doch Four Relief canal.

THE ULTIMATE SOLUTION
From all the information and analyses accessed, it is clear that flood relief would only be effective, with or without the Hope/Doch Four canal, through the employment of a suction dredge to dredge the Mahaica River as far upstream as beyond Belmonte and remove the sand bar from its mouth.
In addition, the approaches to the sluices at the Lama, Maduni, Cunha and Kofi, along with the canal leading to the Land of Canaan Spill Weir would have to be dredged and the structures rehabilitated to restore the entire system to the original design capacity.
In other words, the Hope/Doch Four Relief canal will not solve the problem for which the Government has committed $56.4Mn for the Engineering design, by the contracted Consultants, CEMCO/ SRKN’gineering and Mott MacDonald, and seem bent on committing in excess of $4.0Bn to construct.
It is, therefore, evident that the motivation for the commitment of these funds must reside elsewhere.

INCEST AND THE GRAVY TRAIN
It should be recalled that the Hope/Doch Four project originated during the tenure of Ravi Naraine as chairman of the Board of the NDIA. Ravi Naraine is the major shareholder in SRKN’gineering (Steve, Ravi, Krisna Naraine) and his company, along with Mott Mac Donald (the UK company that advises the Government on Civil Engineering matters), joined later by CEMCO ( a mysterious addition), as Joint Venture partners, were selected to undertake the Engineering Design.
This is an incestuous arrangement in which there are blatant conflicts of interest. It seems that the gravy train has already left the station!