…with 2010 turning out to be one of GuySuCo’s worst years
Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), Rajendra Singh, has said 2010 is turning out to be one of the worst years for the corporation.
He was speaking yesterday at a meeting at the Uitvlugt Community Centre Complex in Region Three (Essequibo Islands/ West Demerara).
At the meeting, sugar workers and other stakeholders were engaged to discuss their concerns.
Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud was also in attendance, along with other officials.
According to the Deputy CEO the poor performance is partially owing to the increased number of strike actions taken this year, the inclement weather, and the poor turnout of 52 per cent of the workforce compared to 75 per cent in previous periods.
Singh said the poor turnout saw GuySuco losing an estimated 3,000 tonnes of sugar, and had the turnout been what it was supposed to be, productivity level would have been around 270,000 tonnes.
Addressing the issue of strikes, he stressed that strikes are not the best options; rather, with cooperation among all stakeholders, GuySuCo can improve its production, move past its deficit, and become self-financing.
The Deputy CEO added that the most recent week of strikes cost the corporation some 7,000 tonnes of sugar.
The official said the corporation can easily meet the 280,000 tonnes target and pointed out that there are sugar canes in the ground.
However, Singh said with the current challenges, the canes will most likely not reach the factory.
He stated that this translates to about 31,000 tonnes being carried over to 2011.
“This (the 31,000 tonnes) could have taken us out of our deficit,” Singh said.
According to him, losses are estimated at $1B.
In this context, the official called for the use of dialogue to settle issues that affect the industry, rather than resorting to actions that cause major losses and impact the future of industry.

Sugar will stay

The Agriculture Minister, adding his bit, made it clear that the government remains committed to the continuance of the sugar industry, which makes a contribution to the economy and the livelihoods of hundreds.
He noted that at the end of the day, workers are important; and he stressed that they have an obligation to ensure that the industry succeeds.
Persaud stated that sugar can do well, can do better, in the future, but the industry needs work.
According to him, investments have been made with the Skeldon Factory, with the new packaging facility being constructed at Enmore, East Coast Demerara, and the ongoing mechanisation of the industry, among others.
“We have made the investments…there needs to be full buy-in from the workers,” he said.
He appealed for stakeholders to act in the industry.
Production in 2009 was 234,000 tonnes and 226,000 tonnes in 2008. The company has been struggling to meet the 300,000 tonnes target and eventually hopes to make it to a 400,000 tonne production level.