Massive management inefficiencies and outright incompetency

Sep 14, 2008 AFC Column, Features / Columnists

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DANGER OF COLLAPSE OF SUGAR INDUSTRY

The AFC sees the recent shortfall in reaching the European Union quota of 55,000 tonnes of sugar on or before 5th September, 2008, (and the massive loss of revenues arising therefrom totaling approximately $1.5M US), as being a direct result of massive management inefficiencies and outright incompetency by leadership within GuySuCo.

The over-used excuses of weather and industrial action by sugar workers are grand misrepresentations to hide the troubles brewing within the industry.

Recent meetings by AFC leaders with hundreds of sugar workers on the Corentyne have revealed that sugar workers continue to be insulted in multiple ways by GuySuCo and even their union GAWU. Many complained that the cane they cut is not properly weighed at the existing scales.

They want the use of similar scales which weigh the sugar to weigh the cane they cut. Many complained that there is not a satisfactory distribution of water to workers whilst cutting cane in the burning sun in the cane fields.

Many complained that for this crop only one pair of boots was allocated per worker, whereas two pairs were the quota before. And moreover, only a favoured few get long boots, gloves and cloak.

Many complained about the extreme insanitary state – stench and worms – in the base of punts, that it is so unhealthy to work.

Complaints to GAWU’s representatives about these and other issues of off and on-field matters get nowhere and are causing much frustration. Workers have concluded that there exists now an incestuous relationship between Management and Union.

This is the reason why workers have indicated that they will soon be on an exercise to demand that GuySuCo cease deducting union dues from their wages amounting to $650.00 (six hundred and fifty dollars) per month, which then is made payable to GAWU.

This sum could be better spent, they say, to buy rations or help with transportation costs for the school children.

The AFC supports the pleas of sugar workers for a 14.75% increase in wages. With the astronomical cost of living rise seen recently, this increase to workers whose wages have from time immemorial been low, is just and reasonable. GuySuCo’s counter-offer of 4% is insulting and demeaning!

The AFC welcomes the setting up of an Arbitration Tribunal to resolve the impasse, although from what it knows of the history of the members who constitute the Tribunal it is of the opinion that a pro-administration bias is predominant.

One hopes that the Tribunal’s inquiry is not unduly narrow in focus, and that its findings and awards will be respected and not as was the case recently with GPL.

The AFC believes that the monies can be found to sustain a 14.75% increase from the various specialized accounts the Audit General discovered the Government has all over the place.

Moreover, such monies can easily come from a cutting down of waste and corruption in Government Departments and within Ministries.

What is more frightening is information coming to hand concerning the new Skeldon Sugar Factory which indicate that major component failures have occurred in test runs, and structural problems have been discovered which have caused GuySuCo’s Administration to hastily commence repairs of the old factory. The truth must be told; and this is a Governmental responsibility. The AFC thus views the situation in the industry as dire.

THE AFC’S REGION 10 SEAT
Two years have now passed since the Guyana Elections Commission deliberately declared the winner of a Parliamentary Seat to be the PPP/C, and not the AFC as was to be the case.

The nation knows that the AFC won the seat and that GECOM’s Statements of Poll established this undisputable fact.

To say that the AFC has been cheated would be to understate the gravity of this injustice. The real losers of this illegal action have been the good citizens of Region 10 who placed their confidence in the AFC.

The PPP/C has usurped the position and has used the opportunity, in our opinion, to subjugate the free will and spirit of residents of Region 10 by ensuring that they are denied much needed jobs and opportunities; proper roads and transportation services; adequate access to information by denying them access to television stations other than NCN; and by ensuring their environmental health by failing to ensure that the bauxite dust which is now choking them is stopped.

The recent madness which took place at the Wismar Hospital where robbery and sexual assault were perpetuated against hapless nurses is a tragedy of profound proportions and is indicative of the neglect and scant regard that the PPP/C administration has for the people and workers of the community.

We demand that the police authorities ensure the safety of all residents and spare no effort in locating the perpetrators of these heinous crimes.

In terms of the Elections Petition filed in 2006, the AFC once again is deeply disappointed in the static situation of the Elections Petition instituted by its Region 10 Candidate, Mr. Walter Melville. It has seen no forward movement over the last eleven months.

The last sitting occurred on October, 2007. Submissions, on a wholly frivolous in limine point raised by the PPP’s lawyer, were asked to be put in writing by then Chief Justice, Mr. Carl Singh. These have since been done.

However, communication with the now Acting Chancellor, Mr. Carl Singh, has revealed that he may not be able to continue hearing the Petition in view of Justice Ramlal’s decision that one office holder cannot perform two office holders’ functions. It necessarily means that as Acting Chancellor Mr. Carl Singh cannot step down to hear the matter.

STATE OF SOME CITY FACILITIES IN AN APPALING STATE
The AFC wishes to place on record its absolute dissatisfaction with the state of affairs generally of the Georgetown Municipality’s many facilities.

Particularly, however, we are aggrieved with the unhealthy and dangerous state of the Mandela dump site.

This situation poses a serious health risk to residents in nearby wards and communities and is a stark reminder that the solid waste management of the city is in tatters.

The Government should be blamed for dithering and tinkering while things burn, and in not making the alternative site available after many years of going around in circles.

Perhaps more disturbing than the state of the dumpsite is the sad state of the Le Repentir cemetery. The state of the cemetery is a national disgrace and embarrassment.

Families are now choosing not to intern their deceased relatives in Georgetown, but in rural communities, and in many instances, cremation is proving the better option.

To allow this state of affairs to continue would be to announce that we are a backward and barbaric people.

The AFC therefore demands immediate action at the highest governmental level so that a plan for the way forward can be identified and implemented.

This plan must include the Georgetown City Council, Central Government and NGO’s which can work together to restore some sense of normality and dignity to the memory of those buried there.

CONGRATULATIONS EXTENDED TO SHIVNARINE CHANDERPAUL
The AFC is pleased to be able to extend congratulations to Guyana and the West Indies’ star batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul on being named the ICC’s Player of the Year.

Shiv has made us all proud once again and we hail his monumental achievements and the humble and dedicated way in which he has gone about establishing a sterling cricketing career.

We reiterate our recent call for Shivnarine Chanderpaul to be properly recognized in Guyana with a national award higher than the Arrow of Achievement that was hurriedly given to him a month ago.

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