Sinister plan behind AFC, APNU attacks on sugar workers, rice farmers
No one should be surprised by the increase in attacks against two of the most important Agricultural sectors in Guyana by the leadership of both the Alliance for Change (AFC) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).What is interesting is the fact that no other than Moses Nagamootoo has joined the bandwagon and attacked the people of Leguan by trying to ridicule their livelihood of depending on the rice industry. Old Kai has observed that those from the island have already sought to condemn this form of ridicule, including an individual in the Chronicle letter column who has not taken kindly to the assumption by Moses that the people of Leguan “can only cut grass and therefore are undeserving of government funds that can be used to create job opportunities.”
Such behaviour from Moses is nothing new as he has become prone to similar ignorant outbursts, especially during the budget debates and how can we forget his infamous “shut yu suh and suh mouth” in reference to how he speaks to his grandchild.
The people of Leguan have historically contributed to Guyana’s overall output; they are hard working and focused on their continued development. Is that such a crime now in the mind of Moses Nagamootoo and the AFC? What is so wrong with them expecting assistance from their government just like any other community across our country?
This attack against farmers/those in the agriculture sector seems to be well coordinated from the combined Opposition as during Monday’s debate on the budget, APNU MP Keith Scott also likened the PPP/C government support to the rice sector as a ‘handout to rice farmers’. Old Kai is heartened by the strong rebuttal of Agriculture Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy that his government will continue to stand with rice farmers and build a stronger industry.
This is a sector which was in the doldrums when the people, Keith Scott is now associated with, were in Government, so maybe it’s a continuation of that policy to deprive and suffer the rice industry because of selfish political aims.
Clearly they are upset that rice production has been breaking historical records over the past few years and knowing their economics of destruction, the Opposition does not understand the need to support struggling industries but equally those that are doing well to maintain growth.
This is an industry which has contributed over 5% of our equally record breaking GDP growth rate for several years, which brought in over US $240M in much needed foreign revenue last year. We are told that more than 20,000 persons are employed in this industry, so what is the crime in assisting this sector?
Note how this attack ties in with that of Moses Nagamootoo on the rice farmers on the island of Leguan.
But it does not end there; the Opposition had a field day attacking the PPP/C Government subvention for the sugar industry, which is intended to ensure it continues its modernisation programme this year.
These are the same people who have been advocating for the closure of the industry. In fact, the AFC has articulated a plan for the sugar cultivation to be converted into fish ponds. This is for an industry which despite its struggles, managed to still contribute close to 4% of our GDP and brought in over US $112M into our economy. It employs over 18,000 and that is 18,000 families which directly depend on this industry, not to mention the many others who indirectly depend on sugar including suppliers and those communities which have traditionally sprung up around the Estates.
If they had their way, clearly the APNU and AFC would not hesitate to destroy the lives of these people as they would fall in line with being ‘collateral damage’.
Thankfully, the PPP/C and President Donald Ramotar stand in their way and Old Kai is confident that as long as they remain at the helm of our country, our entire economy, but more specifically our Agriculture sector, will remain safe from the devious plans of the Opposition.