-says GuySuCo Board should be given a chance

AGRICULTURE Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy yesterday highlighted that despite the adverse weather conditions earlier on in the second sugar crop, the industry is set to meet its 216,000 tonnes target.

“We basically lost a month because of the weather, but we are actively catching up. Now that the weather is better we are making up for the days we lost. I do not envisage any difficulty in meeting the target,” he said.
According to him, all eight estates are working, with some factories already qualifying for extra income for surpassing targets.
He stated too that the Skeldon Factory is also performing well.
Asked about the turnout of the workforce, the minister highlighted that this is in the 50 per cent level.
“It is a constant struggle and will continue to be a struggle. We do not have the workforce level we need, which is why the mechanisation programme is important,” he said.
Additionally, a $6B allocation, in the 2014 National Budget, for GuySuCo was approved by the National Assembly. The $6B is expected to cover expenditures that include mechanisation, through the conversion of 2,500 hectares of land to be suitable for mechanical operations, which will be done at a cost of $1.1B, tillage and replanting of 9,200 hectares, both efforts being consistent with improving cane production and yield, which will be done at a cost $1B, factory upgrading of all sugar estates, including Skeldon, at a cost of $2B and works to field infrastructure to improve field to factory access and purchasing of equipment, excavators, bell loaders, tractors, etc. to account for the remainder of the allocation.

CRITICISM EXPECTED
Dr. Ramsammy also addressed the many criticisms of the new Board of Directors of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and contends that this was expected.
“It doesn’t matter who is on the Board, it would have attracted criticism, but we can’t base our work on the fact that people will criticise it and not do it. We have to do what we have to do,” he said.
The Board is headed by former Education Minister, Mr. Shaik Baskh, and the other members include: Mr. Dunstan Barrow, Chairman of Board of Directors for the Linden Enterprise Network (LEN); Dr. Dindyal Permaul, Chief Executive Officer (GLDA) of the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA); Mr. Keith Burrowes, Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest); Badri Persaud, Managing Director for the Guyana Oil (GuyOil); and Geeta Singh-Knight, who also served on the previous board.
The minister stressed that he is confident in the ability of the Board members.
He said: “If you look at Mr. Shaik Baksh, and Mr. Dunstan Barrow, these are two men with vast experience.
“I believe Mr. Baksh is well qualified and demonstrated his ability to manage boards. He has experience in business, public sector and politics and these are all elements he will have to deal with. He has also dealt with unions.
“It is not different for Mr. Barrow. He has been extensively engaged in several areas, including business. In pre-PPP (People’s Progressive Party) days he was also tasked with the management of many public sector entities. Mr. Barrow brings with him a wealth of experience.”
Dr. Ramsammy said the qualifications of those on the board are what were asked for, in the many public demands for a better Board of Directors.
“We have to move on. There will be talk, but we have to at least given them a chance to function,” he said.
Under new management, GuySuCo is expected to lead accelerated progress to ensure the industry’s turnaround. The sugar industry is projected to record an improvement of 15.6 percent in output to 215,910 tonnes in 2014. .
Dr Ramsammy said: “The Board is working. They have taken time to get an update on the status of the industry and are looking at the strategic plan and possible revisions. I think the plan has all the necessary elements, but may need some tinkering, but I don’t think it will be a major change.”
Among the measures to be undertaken to ensure a turnaround of the industry, which the allocation addresses, are: increased production and lower cost of production; diversified target markets, and expansion of value-added production.
The first crop was successful, surpassing the 75,000 tonnes target, bringing in about 80,000 tonnes. The overall target for 2014 has been moved from 216,000 tonnes to 219,000 tonnes. Sugar production came in at a dismal 186,500 tonnes for 2013, but Guyana has been taking steps to turn around the sugar industry and hopes to meet the 300,000 tonnes-target soon, with a projection that the sector will reach its 400,000-tonne goal by 2020.

(By Vanessa Narine)