Responding to lawyer…
AGRICULTURE Minister Robert Persaud disclosed, on Monday, that he has told the legal representative of Mahaicony Rice Limited (MRL), Mr. R. N. Poonai, of his disgust at what he described as the litany of excuses for the company’s non-payment of farmers. The lawyer, in a letter seen by the Guyana Chronicle, expressed MRL’s concerns that its efforts to obtain the necessary financial support are being “constantly impeded” by statements in the media.
Counsel said, among them was the disclosure, made by Mr. Persaud, that MRL operations licence will not be renewed because it breached conditions provided for under the law.
“Mahaicony Rice Limited is firmly of the view that, if these issues are addressed, it would benefit all concerned and, more particularly, the welfare of the farmers,” Poonai wrote.
However, Persaud, in his response, said the assertions by Poonai are irrelevant to the obligation MRL has to pay farmers in a timely manner.
“The Rice Factories Act makes provision for the non-issuance of the licence to manufacture rice, if certain conditionalities are not met,” the Minister reminded.
He called on MRL to desist from “playing games” and address the issue of non-payment to farmers, who have been owed monies for almost a year now.
Persaud declared it is high time for the sore issue of late/non-payment to be resolved.
“The ongoing state of the affairs is most discomforting, given the continued growth of the rice industry and the need for all players to benefit from its expansion,” he added.