Dear Editor,
Reference is made to a letter from C Kenrick Hunte captioned ‘Guysuco has been in a “free fall” with the PPP/C government in full control’ in SN, December 6. Now, here is another missive that seeks to charge the PPP/C government for the challenges that the entity is currently facing.
No fair-minded, objective thinking Guya-nese can ever suggest, much less accuse the PPP/C administration of causing “free fall” with Guysuco. This industry, that had experienced low production during the era of the PNC administration, has received a continuous flow of intervention from the PPP/C administration from the onset of this party’s ascension to power. And this is because of the industry’s critical role as a GDP contributor, and the largest employer outside of the public service.
The announcement by the EU of quota cuts, did cause very grave concern, particularly as it related to the institution being the economic support base for a particular region, and the social fallout that would have occurred had the administration opted for even a partial scale-down and eventual closure of the industry, as has been the case of the industry in both Jamaica and Trinidad, for example.
Instead, with a view to producing sugar at a competitive cost, the PPP/C administration responded with the multibillion Skeldon Project, which plan was to have ensured the continuity of sugar as a major factor in the nation’s economy, apart from ensuring its survival and longevity. The thousands of harvesters and other categories had their continuity guaranteed.
Yes, there are very serious challenges now facing the industry in general, with the Skeldon Factory and its functions coming in for very serious criticism, even from President Jagdeo. But this did not mean that the industry had been left to “free fall.”
The failure of the industry and its deep social implications are well understood, not only by the administration, but also by the representative unions as well. With this in mind, both sides are going to work assiduously, ensuring that the Skeldon Project does not become a white elephant, as so many critics are hoping. Surely, government did not invest those billions for such an outcome.
Yours faithfully,
Donald Jackson
