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Govt. contracts former shipping PR to sell GuySuCo
The government has contracted former Public Relations/Marketing personnel of a well known shipping company, Wesley Kirton, to help it sell the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).
Wesley Kirton
Since last December, the US-based Guyanese was given a letter by the Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, authorizing him to act as a glorified real estate agent on government’s behalf.
The letter stated, “The Government of Guyana hereby authorizes Mr. Brian Wesley Kirton to engage in discussions on its behalf with interested companies/ parties regarding their possible interest in acquiring the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO) in whole or in part and to facilitate the arrangements for negotiations between Government and interested parties/ companies.”
It further stated that Kirton can “share any and all information and documentation, including proprietary information required by interested parties to determine their interest in entering into negotiations with the Government of Guyana.”
No announcement was made by the government about the arrangement when it was made.
Harmon told the media, “Kirton has been asked to look at finding possible interests for the divestment of GuySuCo. His arrangement with the government is for payment of reasonable expenses in relation to travel and accommodation but not to exceed in any period of time US$2000.”
The arrangement is due to last six months and should conclude at the end of this month.
Harmon said that this move was made by the government in an effort to find the “best possible arrangement for the people of Guyana.”
However, Kirton’s ability to sell GuySuCo is not backed by his track record. Further, Harmon failed to state what successes Kirton has made over the last six months.
Kirton recently responded to comments made about the arrangement by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo. His response was by way of letter.
Kirton said, “Opposition leader Bharrat Jagdeo reportedly earlier today referred to a letter which gives me authorization to discuss the possible privatization of GuySuCo, in whole or in part with potential investors, and accuses the APNU+AFC government of misleading the Guyanese people and making a sham of consultations with stakeholders. Mr. Jagdeo is misguided on this issue.”
Kirton, in defending his gig, said that the sensitization of possible investors tells the story of the government’s efforts to save the sugar industry.
“The CoI on the sugar industry recommended privatization as among the options to save the industry. Note that this authorization is to enter into discussions as distinct from negotiations…In my view it is good strategy to sensitize possible investors to this possible opportunity while holding consultations with stakeholders to determine the best possible options for saving the industry, its workforce and their families. So the consultations are not a sham.
And the efforts to sensitize suitably qualified companies, particularly those with the capital, experience, expertise and commitment to add value and diversify, are a laudable approach, especially if other options fail to save the industry.”
The letter of authorization was issued to Kirton about one month after the GuySuCo Commission of Inquiry Report was handed over by Commission Chairman, Vibert Parvatan to then Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture.
In addition to the already closed Wales Estate, Skeldon and Enmore will be closed. Production, he said, would be limited to Albion, Blairmont and Uitvlugt Estates. The State Paper on GuySuCo states that Albion and Rose Hall estate’s cultivation will be amalgamated and will result in the closure of the Rose Hall factory at the end of 2017 with some of the lands being made available for diversification.
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