The critics are seeking the sensational

Sep 17, 2008 Features / Columnists

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The delay of the new Skeldon Modernisation Plant is being used by the AFC to gain mileage. One of its leaders who failed to bring support to the Party’s list is now trying to justify his position by creating confusion among some workers. Why would one use a legitimate operational delay to play politics?

There is no doubt that the project is behind schedule but the government can in no way be responsible because that project is being constructed by the Chinese and until they are through then and only then will they be able to hand it over to the government and only then will the government be responsible.

That is why the Government went for a turn-key operation only when it is done then Guysuco will take it over.

There have been slippages because of problems with the weather, shipping, acquisition of certain materials and certain constraints with labour and testing of components but these things often accompany projects in any country.

However, the government has no need to offer excuses because once a project is undertaken it is the responsibility of the contractors to execute it on schedule.

When the government announced the completion deadlines it did so on the advice of the contractors, and while it has not been happy with the delays it recognizes that a lot of money has gone into it and it acknowledges the expectation of the people who are to be the beneficiaries.

It is known that this project is expected to enhance the country’s sugar production by lowering the cost of production and by milling sugar in even greater quantities.

The critics should realize that the Skeldon Modernisation Plant is coming at a time when the nation is expected to compete with other producers on the world market, particularly as the European Union has already cut its prices to the African, Caribbean and Pacific producers.

Most countries and people demand a price for what they produce; Guyana does not have that luxury because it does not have a monopoly on sugar on the world market.

If the country fails to meet its quotas then the importer can readily turn to other producers and in the end, even ignore supplies from this country.

One component of this plant at Skeldon is the contribution to the electricity grid and there have been tests.

The plant is already supplying electricity and the critics should immediately recognize that although the primary aspect of the plant is behind schedule it is already providing benefits to the nation.

Other projects are also behind schedule and one of them is the Berbice River Bridge which has had delays. Like the Skeldon project there have been problems with shipping and acquisition of crucial components, all of which have led to the increased cost of the project.

These are mega projects and there are unforeseeable delays, ask any major private investors and they would point to the obvious delays in their own projects.

The government recognizes that everyone is eagerly awaiting the completion of this project and it will be completed, bringing relief to the thousands who cross the Berbice River every day.

There is need to recognize that Guyana has lost its cutting edge when it comes to the pool of skilled people in the country and to compensate there will be a renewed drive to enhance technical education.

Already skilled people are returning from Cuba, some of them highly qualified, to undertake tasks on some of the projects that are lagging behind schedule.

The critics, though, have a role to play because they have children or relatives who should be groomed to make a contribution to national development.

It would be interesting to see how many of these people actually encourage their children to undertake crucial jobs in the country and help in the on-time completion of the projects that are lagging behind schedule.

One politician made big of the delay of the Skeldon Modernisation Plant to be on schedule and of the problems that exist at the moment. Criticisms are easy to level and suggestions are more difficult to make.

It would be interesting to see this politician making some suggestion to help because in the final analysis the entire country would benefit.

Instead, he makes a big noise and the media, ever alert to sensation, jumps on his discovery. In fact, the Government had hinted to possible hiccups. He does not make it known that the project is not yet the responsibility of the government.

He also does not take the time to investigate by approaching the Chinese to get answers but he quickly identifies what is wrong and ignores what is right.

It was the same when the Providence National Stadium was being constructed. The government was forced to offer explanations.

Today, some of the same critics rush to demand that functions be held there and if there is any opposition they accuse the government of frustrating the people and of ignoring them.

The Skeldon Modernisation Plant commissioning will be completed before the end of the year as will the Berbice River Bridge to end all the criticisms in this direction but there will be others and as can be expected, the government will be pressed to offer explanations even if it is not responsible.

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