AS THE 2012 Budget debate continues, I have to openly admit that I was extremely impressed with Honourable Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds, as Leader of the House, whose presentation was not in the least lacklustre. In the face of his opponents, he stood his ground and acted like the statesman that he is, with the insight of a man who knows what needs to be done, and with the courage to so do.

The Prime Minister led his Government team in Parliament from the front.

But I was also very impressed with Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, and the way he handled himself — like a true gentleman and politician with a mission.
The new AFC Member of Parliament V. Ramayya wished his way into being recognized as the new kid in town, attempting to usurp Parliament with his maiden speech, impressing himself with a subject as big as the sugar industry and the Skeldon factory, of which he knows nothing, and for which I find him totally unqualified to sanction.

His macho attempt to blast Ramsammy out of the waters — whining over the $4B injection into GUYSUCO — actually backfired on him, because the Agriculture Minister made no bones about the lack of understanding of the ‘Ramayyas’ who are in the Opposition parties.

Ramayya had his 15 minutes of fame, according to an adage used in the music industry, and he made use of it. But to what end?

Minister Ramsammy’s presentation was brilliant! He reminded the House that he was well aware of the problems at Skeldon, and that those problems are being addressed as a major concern to his Government. He explained that the budget allows for major improvement in the import/export ratio; that the five Wartsila alternators at the factory would be replaced; and that all defects would be remedied by the end of 2012.

As far as the sugar workers are concerned, they have not been forgotten; so the minister clearly pointed out that the workers, in spite of all the difficulties they face, will stay with the industry.

It is common knowledge that without the sugar workers we don’t have an industry. Likewise, the sugar industry is vitally important to the wellbeing of these very workers and their families; and to the development of their communities; and, last but not least, to earning of the foreign reserves which sugar brings to the table.

I very much liked his take on the opposition’s continuous accusations that GUYSUCO had been mismanaged, despite the fact that none of those ‘brilliant Ramayyas’ had taken the time to research and analyze that the 36% European Union price cut had created an $8B annual loss to the sugar industry. Such a loss can really create havoc for the way forward, like paying the sugar workers better wages; and not rocking the boat piloted by the sugar administrators, who are desperately trying to avert a wreck of titanic proportions.

Not to be forgotten, though, is the opposition’s apparent ignorance of the fact that the sugar industry had to cushion the difference between the euro and the US dollar. That is a lot of dead weight to carry, when you really think about it. Do the math!
There is no quick fix, unless MP Ramayya is qualified as a specialist to prescribe some “bush doctor’s” medication for the ailing industry, and for himself and his ailing buddies.