Only diversification can save GuySuco

Nov 16, 2016 Letters

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Dear Editor,
Over the past several months I have penned several missives as to the future of the Guyana Sugar Cooperation. It is sad that some saw my articles as an attack on the corporation and on some workers. But I know it’s real and about the true things happening in the industry. Over the past two weeks Guysuco has been making all forms of news in the print or digital media. We have also heard that Guysuco presented a report to Cabinet and Cabinet put together a very competent team to study that report. The team will have to come up with a few alternatives after their study of the report. Some of the alternatives were mentioned by the Minister of State Hon. Joseph Harmon during a press conference. I am very saddened to hear some of the options, but we have to face reality, we cannot run from it. The President was also right when he said that “Maintaining GuySuCo is depriving many other sectors”. Too much of money is being put into an entity that cannot make a profit and has over 80 BILLION DOLLARS in debt. Much can happen with the amount of monies being pump into this falling industry. Something must be done to save the workers and the industry.
While many of the workers are fighting for work, Guysuco is fighting to survive. Closing down the entire industry will see almost 18,000 workers losing their jobs. It will see families starving and less children being educated. But workers need to ask themselves the question; where is the industry going?. Will it survive for two more years? If not, what are their plans for survival? How will they maintain their families? What can Guysuco and GoG do so that they cannot lose their jobs so they can maintain their families?
Guysuco needs to do restructuring of the estates. I do not believe that all the estates should\must be operating. The cost for operation is too high. Example, in Berbice instead of having four factories, just have two operating – Albion in Region 6 and Blairmont in Region 5. While one in Region 4 and one in Region 3 can be operating. Albion has the capability of taking the canes from Skeldon and Rose Hall estate. Blairmont also has the capability to take canes from Rose Hall. By doing this it will cut the cost tremendously. This can see Guysuco turning around because billions will be safe.
While this is being done, Government can start a diversification program within the industry. We can do cattle rearing\meat processing. We can use this initiative to have a modernize meat industry and to produce for local and international markets. Government will have to put various processing mills in place and to educate our local people as to how it’s being done to international standards, so that they themselves can earn more. Our meats can be on the international market by having corned beef, pickled pork, ham, corned mutton, etc. We can also start a milk processing plant and bottle our milk for local and international consumption.
During this process Guysuco can utilize lands and start an aquaculture farm. Guysuco can also ask workers to privately invest in this. This will see revenues coming into the coffers of Guysuco. Also during this diversification process, lands can be used for planting of various agricultural crops and farming. Example, we can have processing and packaging factories, whereby we will see Guyana producing bread fruit, plantain, potato, cassava chips, etc. We can have various juices such as cherry, guava, pine apple, cane, etc being properly preserved and sell on the local and international markets.
We can have lots of other agricultural things that we can do towards ensuring that our people are being cared for and that they will not suffer. These industries under the diversification programmes will see the blooming of the agriculture sector. We will become the food basket of the Caribbean once more. If this is to happen and oil starts to flow, the economy will bloom and we will be on top of the Caribbean which I know that the opposition does not want, because they lack of vision for a better Guyana.
I know that the opposition may want to lash out at this. Well, they are lashing out at everything that is positive for Guyana, so it won’t be a surprise to me. But workers need to ask themselves whether they are ready for this or they want Guysuco to close down. They can choose to have the industry close its doors or to work in ensuring that diversification is the solution. Some may not want it, some may leave the job and yes some will have to go. But workers need to ask; are they looking at those that left the job, and leave, or stay and work towards a better livelihood?
I don’t think this caring government will want to see the workers and their families suffer. I don’t think this administration wants to close the doors of Guysuco. What I do know is that there are options available and I know that this government will do all that it can, in ensuring that all options are being explored Diversification is the way forward.I call on the GoG to explore these options, so that we can have a blooming agriculture sector and a better life.
Abel Seetaram
APNU+AFC
Regional Councilor
Region 5

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