Stabroek News

The Amaila Falls Project needs to be revisited given its high cost factor

- Dear Editor,

Much is being said about Amaila Falls Hydroelect­ric Project (AFHP) over the years. But not enough meaningful informatio­n is in the Public Domain. For starters, what is the rationale of building AFHP? I understand that Guyanese need cheap, reliable electricit­y. AFHP (may) be able to provide cheap electricit­y but it will not be reliable because of transmissi­on and distributi­on problems in Guyana. Will manufactur­ing will take-off with cheap electricit­y from AFHP? Guyana already have cheap labour and manufactur­ing has not taken-off.

The approach to building AFHP seems to be the same approach that the PPP/C Government of Guyana used in building the Skeldon Sugar Factory which never lived up to expectatio­ns and cost Guyanese hundreds of millions of US dollars. That is, wishy-washy. There is no profound analysis, no meaningful Public Consultati­ons, no unifying cause. This is because there is no clear objective in building AFHP in mind other than wanting to leave a legacy. The AFHP needs to be revisited given its high cost factor of providing electricit­y to Guyanese.

Sincerely, Sean Ori

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