Leading sugar workers union concerned about sugar industry going into foreign hands.

Georgetown: The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), said that it was very surprised by the Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud’s revelation that the Corporation was looking to engage either a Chinese or Indian company for the management of the operations of Skeldon Estate. The Minister urged the Board to quickly deliberate on the matter, a matter which, the Union has been reliably informed, has not even been received by the Board for consideration at the time of the Minister’s announcement.

The strategic thinking behind the Skeldon Sugar Modernisation Project (SSMP) was to buttress the industry following the effects of the reform, a few years ago, of the European Union’s Sugar Regime. The Project was designed to include a state-of-the art factory capable of producing 110,000 tonnes sugar per annum, argued the union.

The factory, a turnkey project constructed by China National Technical Import & Export Corporation (CNTIC) had already been far behind schedule when it began to experience debilitating problems which have persisted. The factory is effectively in the hands of the Sugar Corporation, having been taken over by Guysuco in November last year.

It is widely known that the factory is still beset by major defects which continue to inhibit its maximum and efficient performance. We certainly recall late last year, one of the Factory’s two boilers exploded. Subsequently it was repaired by the Contracting Company at its own cost of US$2.5M and which only returned to service at the beginning of the current autumn crop.

GAWU said it wishes to reiterate its call for the Corporation to truthfully advise workers, indeed, the nation on the state of affairs of the new Skeldon factory which remains unfriendly to the industry’s treasury.

Through the grapevine, GAWU explained that it has learnt that the Minister’s statement could well be related to the Company that was a main part of the Factory’s construction and the other, the firm that was engaged in building the Enmore Packaging Plant. If so, other troubling questions would arise.

The union added that it hopes that facts are not manipulated nor are presented to justify the return of the industry into foreign hands.

GAWU feels that an honest, objective and collective approach by all the stakeholders be a first step to address Skeldon’s failure.

The union said Minister Persaud needs experience, advice and guidance.