THE basic principle in problem-solving requires that there be an understanding by the affected parties that a problem does exist, and a willingness by the parties in wanting to resolve the problem. The problem with the Belle Vue cane farmers and its co-op management has been languishing for the past four years, and just when it appears that there was a resolution in sight, the problem rears again like Medusa’s head. This leaves the farmers with little hope as to whether a solution is eminent at all. Note the following:

The Belle Vue Co-op was until December 2011 managed by a group of persons comprising family members and close associates.
During the past four years, this management has usurped the estates (co-op shares) of some farmers and sold it to an independent entrepreneur, who in the process of effecting works to the estates he purchased, incurred extensive damage to the estates of other farmers. This resulted in loss of production and incomes to them. The unilateral take-over and sale of bona-fide farmers’ properties were undertaken in the absence of due process and without any compensation. This action has resulted in undue discomfort, stress and frustration to the affected farmers, who made representation to various ministerial levels via petitions and the print media, with a view to draw awareness to this problem.
To some satisfaction in August 2010, the Chief Cooperatives and Development Officer
( CCDO), M. Jabar, decommissioned the co-op’s management with a view to initiate a process that would seek to address this grievance of the farmers. To the horror of the farmers, Labour Minister, Nadir, rescinded that decision and re-installed the co-op’s management. So it became business as usual.
With continued representation to government MPs, and Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Persaud, the latter commissioned an enquiry in July 2011 to investigate this problem. None would have thought that with a commission of enquiry underway, the independent entrepreneur, would have reasonably ceased all activities and await the outcome of the enquiry. To the dismay of the farmers, he continued with his business and even intensified his activities to the extent of constructing fixed structures on the estates of the farmers.
To some satisfaction, it was understood that the recommendation from Mr Robert Persaud’s Commission of Enquiry was considered by Cabinet, and that the CCDO was advised to dissolve the co-op’s management and to institute a new one.
In February 2012, A new management team, headed by Mr. Hafiz Rahman, was established and immediately began to consider looking into the following issues:
An immediate surrender of all documents and records of the co-op’s management
An audit of the financial transactions of the coop over the past four years
An inventory of all assets, fixed and movable.
The ceasing of all activities by the independent entrepreneur.
Reinstatement of all farmers whose estates were confiscated by the co-op’s management.

Now just when it appeared that there was some sign of progress in addressing the issues mentioned above, it is understood that the CCDO has been advised by the Minister of Labour, Mr. Gopaul, to remove this newly formed co-op management and install another that comprised approximately four members of the original co-op management. This development is in no way dissimilar to that in August 2010, by the then Minister of Labour, Mr. Nadir, and leaves one to wonder as to what position the powers that be are taking on this matter.
So as we write this letter on behalf of the Committee to save the Belle Vue Cane Farming and Marketing Cooperative Society, its déjà vu; same old story written and re-written.