MEMBERS of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) that will be looking into the affairs of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) yesterday met with Agriculture Minister Mr. Noel Holder. The meeting saw discussions being centred on the Commission’s Terms of Reference in charting the way forward for the industry.The meeting was held in the boardroom of the Minister’s Regent and Shiv Chanderpaul Drive office.
The eleven-member Commission, during its investigation, will develop a 15-year plan which is expected to bring the industry back to profitability to ensure long-term environmental and economic sustainability.
Among the work which will be carried out by the Commission is investigating the current state of cane cultivation, factory operations, and production and marketing of sugar, molasses and other by-products. Special emphasis will also be placed on human resources, research and development, diversification of the industry, community obligations, weather events, marketing, finance, procurement, factory performance and management.
The Commission is expected to work closely with the Interim Management Team of GuySuCo over a three-month period, commencing July 1, 2015.
The Commission’s members are: Mr. Vibert Parvatan (Chairman), Prof. Clive Thomas (Financial and Economic Analysis), Dr. Harold Davis and Mr. John Piggot (Agronomists), Mr. John Dow and Mr. Joseph Alfred (Factory Operations), Mr. George James (Sugar Processing), Mr. Nowrang Persaud (Industrial Relations), Mr. Claude Housty (Marketing), Mr. Seepaul Narine, GAWU Representative and Mr. Omadatt Chandan who will serve as the Commission’s Secretary.
The Ministry of Agriculture will provide all logistical support to ensure the Commission executes its duties effectively.