No Wall suction just skimmers--can't be right!!

Hello all..I had a renovation done starting 1+ yr ago. That was a disaster and had to be redone. Redo was mainly saw out footings under coping,expose skimmers and plumbing redo skimmers and plumbing due to leaks. The first reno guy put in 2 $25 skimmers made for above ground pools. However Those skimmers were each connected to the wall suction near and below the skimmer as it should be. During renovation#2 the guy put a thick structural sheetmetal plate on the water side over the whole area with just an opening for the skimmer--nothing for the wall suction. No hole was ever drilled for suction line in wall

This cannot even be happening !!!

The guys came and plumbed the whole thing and left me with only skimmers for suction. I now have 2 skimmers with 1 1/2" outlet going into 2 inch pipe going straight to the pump--exiting the filter are 2- 2" lines going to the pool. IMO this will never filter properly, and will be a maintenance nightmare. When it becomes clogged with leaves it will stress the motor. Water level falling too low leaves pump running dry..Will the skimmer have too much suction to vacuum without being sucked to the liner--oye!!! too many things to list--

some images

http://i.imgur.com/XtFq01E.png
http://i.imgur.com/Q8aYn12.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/dNEim76.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/KiN6p10.jpg

Is this even possible.Has anyone ever seen anything like this? How can it filter the water when it all comes off the top..How long would it take--24 hrs.[no need for timer just turn it on in may and off in Oct] I can't leave it this way..need serious advice as he wants to backfill. Is this even legal in NYS. I do not think any 25,000 gallon inground pool was ever constructed leaving all the suction to the skimmers. The original construction and the first renovation had the bottom of the skimmers hooked up with the wall suction.

Thanks for any advice