Oil cannot replace Agriculture

Feb 23, 2021 Letters

Dear Editor,

This is in reference to “It can’t get worse at GuySuCo” (Feb 20). The courage of Sharmila Ally and other writers is applauded for exposing wrong doings at Guysuco. Is there political leadership to save Guysuco? Does anyone remember the Raj Singh tenure (2012-15)? Are we returning there?
Is the Ministry of Agriculture also facing similar woes and can it be rescued? Can we afford to let agriculture deteriorate? Oil is no reliable. Oil is finite; it will run out. That is why it is called non-renewable resource.
Integrity in the Ministry has fallen considerably. Is that surprising? Who is to be blamed? Is there a contract issue? Under the previous APNU-led administration, competence was a major challenge. Under this administration, integrity is a big problem. Will there be a solution? Who will tame the train on run away pick pocketing? Will the President and VP act? If so, how soon?
Contractors have complained that they are victimized for resisting corruption. They don’t want to pay to play; paying has become an institution. Some contractors refuse to be corrupt in greasing hands. But in so doing, they are declared persona non grata in getting contracts.
Contractors say that the situation is dire. They have been informed by key individuals in the Ministry that instructions have been issued to withhold work from certain contractors who refused to pay to play. Contractors have to dig deep down in their bank accounts to meet demands as there is an insatiable appetite for bribe.
Like the other writers who expressed concern about what is happening at Guysuco, I too am troubled. Bad news all around! Can Guysuco be saved? Will Ministry of Agriculture be rehabilitated?
Has government made a decision that agriculture is no longer important in Guyana. The oil boom has been shown not to be reliable in so many countries. The oil curse is well known. The oil balloon will burst and the way things are going we may not have agriculture to fall back on. The government leadership needs to act on the blunders at Guysuco and Ministry of Agriculture. Government should heed the advice of Ms. Ally and act against trespassers in Agriculture and at Guysuco.
Yours truly,
Boysie M Shivtahal

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