Latest update November 21st, 2024 1:00 AM
Sugar industry crisis…Consistent production shortfall prompts Govt intervention
The lagging of production at the Guyana Sugar Corporation as well as the consistent downward review of production targets in previous years coupled with the litany of excuses that are becoming wider, more all-embracing and repetitive has attracted the intervention of Cabinet.
A section of a sugar cane field
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Cabinet, on recognising these developments, recently mandated the start of a process to obtain independent financial and production reviews in sugar.
A statement issued to the media yesterday noted that the reviews are not intended as a prelude to the closure of any estate and in no way prevent short term interventions designed to improve sugar production. Rather, they are intended to get an independent assessment of the production situation confronting the industry and propose solutions/interventions.
To ensure that a competent team is selected to conduct these reviews/inquiries, the Ministry has extended the tender submission deadline by three weeks.
The Ministry emphasized, however, that the impending review is not preventing immediate steps to address the faltering performance at levels of GuySuCo’s operations.
“In fact, the Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud by way of a special letter to the Chief Executive Officer of GuySuCo, the Company Chairman and its Directors, has adverted to the failure to meet production targets and has put up several recommendations regarding immediate interventions.”
GuySuCo’s Board and management are acting on these.
Tomorrow Persaud will spearhead a special Board of Directors’ Meeting at which time measures designed to positively impact on production will be explored and agreed upon.
All General Managers of the Estates and key staffers will attend this two-day session at LBI.
Over the years, GuySuCo has consistently reviewed its production targets, including this year’s, and among the many excuses proffered are far reaching strikes, weather, loss of opportunity as well as the consistent delay of the start and sustained operations of the Skeldon Factory.
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