All stakeholders have a role to play, to secure sugar industry’s future-Agriculture Minister tells workers’ forum

By Erika Haag-Tularam

The future of the sugar industry remains a top priority of this administration as stringent measures continue to be incorporated in order for it to remain productive, amidst the industry’s diversification to further consolidate and create a larger, more modern and dynamic sugar industry.  

            The Guyana Sugar Corporation’s (GuySuCo’s) series of ‘Workers Forum’ to highlight the future of the sugar industry; with the aim of sharing relevant information on the state of the industry, updating on the implementation of the ‘Turn around Plan’ and outlining the course ahead for the industry and the role of all stakeholders.

            The meetings which were convened at Rose Hall, Albion and Skeldon Community centers saw the participation of Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud, Chief Executive Officer of GuySuCo Errol Hanoman,  Board Member and People’s Progressive Party General Secretary, Donald Ramoutar, its Chairman Dr. Nanda Gopaul, Region Six Chairman, Zulficar Mustapha, other GuySuCo Board Members and Trade Union Representatives.            

The forum which saw discussions being centered on the ‘Turn around Plan’ was held under the theme “Working together as a team to achieve a successful and modern sugar industry”.

            Minister Persaud while delivering remarks spoke of the future of GuySuCo, centered on the ‘Turn around Plan’, which will see the industry on a further path to development.

            The plan will only bear fruit if there is full support of all members since they are what Government considers a critical grouping in moving the industry forward.

            “This can only be achieved with the full cooperation of Board Members, the Union and all workers….so all members have a role to play in these discussions,” the Agriculture Minister said.

            He noted that 2009 saw the industry being faced with many challenges, which led Government to take a stern decision to end the management contract with Booker Tate.

            “This year is seen as a very crucial year in the history of the sugar industry since it is the first time, in the 300 years that Guyana has been planting sugar, that the industry is on its own,” he said.

             He noted that this gives the country a greater degree of responsibility to ensure the industry survives and used the opportunity to give Government’s commitment to ensuring that it remains stable.

            Government continues to allocate resources to ensure that the industry remains competitive and in this regard invested in the US$185M modern Skeldon sugar factory and the $1.2B packaging facility at Enmore Sugar Estate which is under construction. As the year progresses there will be more investments, the Minister added.

            Meanwhile GuySuCo’s Regional Director Jairam Petam and CEO Hanoman provided updates on the success of the industry during the first, second and third phases of production.

            Board Member Ramoutar and Chairman Gopaul spoke of the history and successes of the industry and the way forward.

            The forum also gave workers an opportunity to highlight challenges which they are currently facing and to make recommendations.

            The forum will be taken to Enmore and La Bonne Intention estates on February 3, Blairmont on February 4, and Wales and Uitvlugt estates on February 5.