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Photo of dried-up Amaila Falls has no weight – Finance Minister
“…still a valuable source of hydro power”
By Zena Henry
Even in the face of climate change, there is “no reason whatsoever” to exclude a recently dried-up Amaila Falls, as a valuable potential source of hydro power. The technical experts and volumes of historical data and studies would provide that the Amaila, Kuribrong Area has over decades been fingered as a practicable location for hydro energy.
For this reason, Finance Minister Ashni Singh says that the Kaieteur News front page photo of a dried up Amaila Falls (October 12 edition) has no weight. He told media operatives yesterday that the photos of the Amaila River, do not in any way vindicate or otherwise support any concerns expressed by the stakeholders
Finance Minister Ashni Singh speaking to media operatives yesterday.
of the project.
He said that the understanding of hydro power projects involve the construction of dams and the maintenance of a reservoir that would ensure a steady and regulated flow of water to feed the turbines that generate power.
However, what is a well documented fact, the Minister said is that, “exhaustive studies have been done, not by this government, and not over the last year or two; but the Amaila, Kuribrong ground rivers have been identified for hydro power potential dating back to one done by the United Nations decades ago, based on a vast accumulation of historic data and an analysis of topography and hydrology of the area.
Additionally, the Minister said, one has to take note that the study of the Amaila Falls would have been done by technical experts, “persons who are authorities in this matter.”
“I don’t believe that there is anything that has been supplied or otherwise learnt to question the conclusions that were arrived at on the basis of rigorous technical studies by the persons who are authorities in these areas.”
“I would say that there is no reason whatsoever at this time based on the information present, to exclude Amaila as a valuable potential source of hydro power.”
Singh reiterated that the Amaila River was not studied over a short period of time, but through a series of scientific studies, which speaks to the attractiveness of the venture. The data volumes and historic information also laid a foundation for the suitability of the project.
Other stakeholders are however not as convinced as the Finance Minister.
It was pointed out that the 90 square kilometers catchment to be constructed is too small given the expected output of Amaila, and that its functioning would be seriously compromised after a routine period of only 26 days of no rainfall.
It was further stated that the project is located some 52 miles from where the Kuribrong and Amaila Rivers convene at the foot of the Ayanganna Mountain, so only 9% of all the water contained in Kuribrong River would be dispensable, since the bulk of the water would run off to merge with the waters of the Potaro River, forming rugged rapids at the Tumatumari. Strong arguments still exist over the Tumatumari being a more suitable place for the hydro plant.
The project is however estimated at a hefty US$915 million. Several international agencies are said to be involved, including the US-based Sithe Global group which has so far withdrawn its position due to non-parliamentary consensus over the issue.
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