Problems abound at GuySuCo

Jan 05, 2010 Letters

Dear Editor,
I refer to Kaieteur News article in Sunday’s edition 13’h December 2009, captioned, “Cash strapped GuySuCo pays CEO $2.5 M per month” and wish to put in context this issue and that of remuneration generally for expatriates.
Firstly Mr. Hanoman was not the Finance Comptroller for GuySuCo. In fact he was the Booker Tate (BT) regional Director for the Caribbean and Latin America and had direct oversight of GuySuCo during the non-performing years that subsequently led to the company being relieved of its contractual obligation.
This is the first irony that needs exemplification as to the Government’s sincerity in severing the relations with BT as was given in the publicity stunt of actually saying that BT was kicked out of GuySuCo as covered in Kaieteur News.
If one were to revisit the events that led to the decision of a management shake up, it would appear that the pressures by the opposition forces to explain the investments justification by the Government in Skeldon required an immediate and almost instantaneous response.
The performances of Skeldon should not be removed from the radar, this is unfortunately where US$280 million was spent and we hear nothing even after the year has come to an end.
I presume there are endless problems that are not made public and which GuySuCo needs to tell the Guyanese public. Mr Hanoman will be gone by Feburary 2010 with his pocket full and GuySuCo poorer.
Is the new factory performing in accordance to the performance criterion? What are the efficiencies parameters of this new plant? How is cane production looking at the end of 2008?
How does this compare to the plan to have the new factory work to capacity in 2011 as wished by the Government?
Let us look at the shake up proper and see the irrationality of the Government’s decision: firstly the current Estate Managers were all Agriculture Mangers and directly responsible for production of cane, so the decision to replace the general mangers by their subordinate who had direct responsibility of the field operations is a glaring attempt to fool the Guyanese public as to the problems of the industry.
If one were to delve into the balance sheet of these GMs one would see that they were all credible managers, BT would not have acceded to them being put in the helm of the Estates if they were not credible. In fact an ex employee of GuySuCo who sits on the board has worked with all the GMs and recommended them heavily.
What is disturbing the PPP General Secretary who is a member of GuySuCo’s Board is very quite on all the ramblings from super salaries to no salary. It is time he comes public, and let us know why were the political ramblings made to create the stir. I am told the appointment of the CE was a direct decision made by the President and the Minister of Agriculture.
Another point that demonstrates insult to the sugar workers is the placement of the CLICO lady on the GuySuCo Board which should be revised immediately. Mr Burrowes who was a member of the GuySuCo Board for many years should also give account of himself and explain in his weekly column what was the board’s role in the GuySuCo production slide and give reasons why he should not be removed.
Then we have the ex GuySuCo employee who is cut off from the industry and can only tell the estate personnel that drains are clogged and sidelines need cleaning, this is the strategy that will take us to high places.
We have now a Deputy CEO who is a political appointee (Chairman of a number of public corporation boards) whose salary may not be far from that of the CE and who knows nothing about sugar except that it is used to sweeten his tea.
The year has come to an end I would suggest that these new managers be put on TV and hard talked as to their achievements and how they are contributing to the turn around plan together with the sugar boss Mr. Errol Hanoman.
I would like to also hear from the acting Head of Human Resources as to the HR strategy that the company has carved out as an integral part of the turnaround plan.
Where we are with this plan and what does it specifically address?
Do you have a vision of the industry or do you expect the ex BT employee to deliver one to you and if so when?
Finally, can someone say if the blue print was made available to the GuySuCo Senior staff and if so at what level?
On a note of equal importance why it is the Government and NDIA are allowing the construction of some kind on the reserves of the Montrose drainage pump?
GuySuCo Employee

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