MINISTER of Labour Manzoor Nadir revealed that the process of cooperative reform has been very slow and likened it to “pulling teeth”. “I’m at pains to say that we are way behind in all the promises I’ve made not only for this year but also for last year, as well, on cooperative reform,” Minister Nadir said.
He noted that there is a number of challenges and added that he was not too confident all the changes would be effected to ensure greater reform to cooperatives.
However, the Labour Minister warned that the Cooperative Department will continue to call societies to books.
The cooperative society revitalisation exercise, in keeping with government’s manifesto promise to breathe new life into the sector, began in February with a visit to Region Two. This was followed up with a visit to Region Six.
Minister Nadir said the ministry has already laid the ground work as it relates to rejuvenating cooperative societies but has received a multiplicity of complaints.
He explained that Cabinet has made a decision with regards to the way forward for the 900 cooperatives that currently exist in Guyana.
The minister added that 350 of these cooperatives are school thrift societies and the ministry is intent on ensuring not only that they are re-energized, but that they are accountable and under proper management.
The ministry has also organised a group of investigators and inquirers who are tasked with scrutinizing the coops to decipher their financial standing.
Government has also taken a decision to press the prosecution of managers who cannot account for the assets of coops.