Questions GuySuCo and the Prime Minister should answer

Jan 09, 2017 Letters

Dear Editor;
I must remind my fellow citizens that GuySuCo produced 231, 145t sugar at end of 2015. In commenting on performance, GuySuCo’s CEO in his yearend media engagements concluded that 2015 performance was due to “lack of political interference” stating that “we have been allowed to manage”. He further posited that “My mind is now on 2016. We will be working to achieve 240,000 t so we have to start refining our strategies to be able to be on top of our game.”- Guyana Chronicle, Dec. 26th, 2015.
As a result of 2015 performance, Government renewed a contract for the Interim Management Committee (IMC). In this renewal process, in January 2016, the IMC (CEO + Finance Director) approved an adjustment to their own benefits package to obtain a higher net income as compared to when they assumed office in June 2015. Today, they receive G$5.2M and G$2.5M per month respectively apart from other perks. The IMC may refute this and should provide evidence to justify their claims.
After telling this nation in December 2015 that no political interference contributed to increase in sugar production, engineering a bigger net income for himself and sidekick and reassuring everyone that they will be “on top” of their game to achieve 240,000t sugar in 2016, the IMC delivers a production of 183,652t. A whopping 24% drop from a target of 240,000t and a 25 year low for this Government. Incidentally, it is also this Government’s second lowest production record while managing the country in different eras. This performance bears every characteristic of gross incompetence of the IMC and misguidance to Government. The IMC is a well-paid, incompetent, clueless and visionless two-man team.
Fellow citizens, if Government is unwilling to ask, it is time that we ask ourselves some questions:
(1) How long will this administration continue to pay an IMC G$7.7/month for this level of incompetence?
(2) Did GuySuCo’s CEO deliberately mislead this Government and nation on 2016 estimate of 240,000t?
(3) What caused a drop of 24% from target? El-Nino and Strikes are worn out excuses of the past.
(4) Did heavy political interference in management cause this 24% drop in production (using the CEO’s reasoning)?
(5) Is this CEO working towards closing the industry without providing alternative employment to poor workers? Is this his vision?
(6) What is the projected sugar production for 2017? Will this CEO mislead Government and mismanage again?
Editor, I ask our Government and specifically our Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of Public Security who were very vociferous on sugar prior to assuming office to answer these questions.
Sookram Persaud

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