Dear Editor,
THE pattern of record poor performances continues uncontrollably at GuySuCo. After recording the lowest annual production of 183,652 tonnes in 25 years in 2016, the incompetent IMC strikes yet another blow at the well-being of the industry and another record of 49,600 tonnes of sugar after 16 weeks of grinding operations in firstst crop 2017. This is the second lowest sugar production for a first crop in 25 years and one of the longest, if not the longest crop in recent memory with no estate meeting its targeted sugar production.
The corporation had advised this nation in February this year that it will produce 74,172 tonnes sugar in the first crop, then shamelessly delivers a mere 67% of that target. The estates individual contributions are: Albion- 18,326 tonnes, Rose Hall- 9,090 tonnes, Blairmont-9,065 tonnes, Enmore- 6,073 tonnes and Uitvlugt- 7,046 tonnes. Of significance, it must be noted that Rose Hall estate delivered the second highest sugar production but, is slated for closure. To put into perspective the performance in 2017, it is instructive to compare production with three previous first crops. It is as follows: 2017- 49,600 tonnes, 2016- 56,645 tonnes, 2015- 81,143 tonnes and 2014- 79,995 tonnes.
Editor, with this level of sugar production in the first crop of 2017, the unit cost of production must be astronomical apart from mammoth expenditures in a failing diversification model at Wales estate. With these realities, taxpayers must demand that the corporation’s IMC emerge from its state-of-the-art hide-out in the LBI compound and give an account for these unfolding disasters. How long will politicians defend a failed model for re-organisation of such critical industry?
Regards
Sookram Persaud