The protests against Government’s decision to close some estates in the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) have now extended beyond the borders of Guyana.
Last weekend, First Lady Sandra Granger and Minsters of Government were in New York to attend events hosted by the diaspora and participate in their observance of Guyana’s 51st Independence Anniversary.
At an event held in Queens, attended by Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams, S.C he was met by a group of vociferous protesters. Going by the placards, not what was spoken by some, the focus was the sugar industry and May 24, 1964. As the protestors opted to express views that Government’s decisions are informed by race and political partisanship, at home sugar workers and their unions are talking about community economics and likely social consequences changes could bring. GuySuCo’s workers are of diverse races, and though Indians comprise the majority, Africans are in excess of 40 per cent. There is no denying the re-organising efforts are being met with mixed reviews, inclusive of support for Government’s decisions. What was noticeable among the placards is the heightened objection to the corporation’s decision on some sugar estates and its future plans.
Government has said it is engaging in efforts to save sugar and GuySuCo. If salvaging the corporation would be feasible, time and factors will tell. In the meantime, reliance on the State to fund this behemoth industry to the tune of tens of billions has been ongoing for many years and the reasonable among us cannot deny solutions had to be found. The above being said, it cannot be ignored there is something unsettling about Guyana’s socio-political reality and Government should not ignore it in light of potential consequences for social cohesion and national unity.
Decline in GuySuCo’s performance, the result of corrupt and inept management, overrun administrative cost, production decline, industrial actions, decline in market prices, selling out of fertile lands in Diamond, etc. are known. The former PPP/C government even hired a Guyanese in the diaspora as Chief Executive Officer, with expectation he could salvage the industry. That government also ensured the political hierarchy was on the Board, among whom was former President Donald Ramotar.
Under PPP/C Government, Diamond estate was closed and regenerating lands sold to private interests. Workers and those who depended on their income for economic opportunities, such as vendors and shop owners, were affected. Queens had no protest during this period when the party’s leadership visited, though the problems plaguing the corporation were no secret. Guyana’s largest single investment was in the Skeldon Factory. This factory cost approximately US$200 million which was borrowed. It never performed at its expected optimum, still requires millions to fix and bring it up to speed, and the debt will have to be repaid by taxpayers.
It is foolhardy to ignore that PPP/C ministers and leaders were never met with placards about sugar’s management and its future during their visits to this borough. Queens’ protest was not only or necessarily about sugar, it was about other issues unrelated to, though sugar presented opportunity to make them known.
The protest in Queens, N.Y
SHARE THIS ARTICLE :
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp