When I considered exploring today’s lead issue, during last week. I suspected that it might just generate stimulating, even animated exchanges in the Assembly.
Little did I know that I would enjoy APNU’s Carl Greenidge telling the House, on the first day of the Budget Debate, how much, almost how absolutely, he agreed with the view of the PPP-friendly Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union’s (GAWU’s) assessment about all that is wrong with the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO). Greenidge’s first-day contributions on the decline of Guyana’s sugar were vintage socio-political-economic propositions with respect to an always-sensitive debate.
But I had always wondered about the current make-up of this vital Corporation, given sugar’s history in this country. Even given that the current President of Guyana, His Excellency Donald Rabindranauth Ramotar was a Board member – a PPP pick- for years. (Funny, he never speaks about his role, or views whilst a GUYSUCO Director?)
The National Budgets of 2012, 2013 and 2014 request(ed) billions of dollars to, literally, keep this sugar industry open. With much restraint I shall not repeat the failures and miseries of this vital sector upon which thousands still depend for their very livelihood. There were myriad problems even before the colossal Skeldon Grey Elephant which is still sucking up our millions.
Now, over the past decade and a half I have had cause to retain, from GAWU’s own Press Releases and newspaper, the numerous complaints by that union about easily-verifiable instances of on-the-field mismanagement, squandermania, even corruption. That list is easily available. I often wonder whether management paid any mind to that unfortunate but valid record. (GAWU boasts about being “a responsible union”.)
Against that background let us probe just who spend(s) the billions of poor people’s money they keep receiving. Whilst doing so, let us, even as non-expert laymen, not allow the GUYSUCO hierarchy to kerfuffle us with issues such as adverse weather or new worker-attitudes.
The Opposition, the billions and the Board
Most justifiably, the Parliamentary Opposition as well as the leading “Sugar Union“ GAWU, both call for fundamental and structured review, from policy to management, of the Corporation. GAWU welcomes this year’s $6.6 Billion subsidy the Government has proposed. The Opposition says: show us how GUYSUCO will spend this bailout first!
The government pleads about the European withdrawal of quotas, accumulated cash deficits, lack of labour, but massive employment costs – the latter with some justification. Critics also ask about the European “compensation” being given since the EU withdrew certain preferences.
So just who has the competence to spend more billions? Well, I have the history of GUYSUCO at my fingertips. I see names like Harold Davis, Yesu Persaud (1976), Mike Brassington, Neville Hilary and Brian Webb. (Note that even the Britishers and their royalty, who visited, never guessed what ills would befall GUYSUCO today.)
From 1992 and the PPP/Civic, Mr Vickram Oditt was appointed to re-make Sugar King. The PPP Ministers of Agriculture who superintended GUYSUCO and its expenditures included Reepu Daman Persaud, Clinton Collymore, Satyadeow Sawh, Navin Chandarpal, Robert Persaud and Leslie Ramsammy.
Today’s Board of Directors, about to be changed, include Rajendra Singh from New Jersey, USA, either Chairman or CEO, Paul Bhim, Geeta Singh (of CLICO reputation), Keith Burrowes (a professional faithful), Badri Persaud, Jung Bahadur Raghurai (now unwell), and another invisible member who should replace His Excellency. Guess who appointed these persons?
And who are tasked with implementing the (dubious) policies and programmes in factory and field? The eight (8) combined estates today are Skeldon, Rose Hall, Albion, Blairmont, Enmore/LBI, Wales and Uitvlugt. These are the dudes who must oversee how the billions are spent on these estates: Yudy Persaud, Davindra Kumar, Yudistar Manna, Tribhuwan Shivpersaud, Corbet Victorine and Vinod Ramdhan. See those names? Let us approach these poor fellows and criticise and sympathise with them. Come on young journalists! Don’t leave that to NCN and GINA only.
New Board, more billions
So let’s see who will be the new Directors of the “new” GUYSUCO Board. Who appoints them? Why?
Incidentally, GAWU friends never ever spelt out for me why that powerful union is never on the Board. Listening to Bharrat Jagdeo at GAWU Congresses I, on my own, concluded that he never would have wanted GAWU to be privy to Board confidentialities. On the other hand, GAWU’s President is a die-hard Cheddi Jagan PPP-man. Nothing wrong with a unionist in a ruling Party. But GAWU on the GUYSUCO Board, in the PPP and in Parliament can face robust intimidation from its own members when workers are displeased.
My suggestion is for the Union to propose a professional economist-type to represent them on the new Board. I also propose an opposition representative and some Civil Society group to help monitor GUYSUCO’s new Board and its individual Estate managers. What say you?
The New Commissioner
Sure, I appreciate that there can be no real ideal Police Commissioner for this Challenged Blighted Land. so if our national pride prevents us from contracting a foreign professional for two/three years, who is desirable?
Certainly our new Police Chief should be a professional, qualified Law Enforcer and Role Model of unimpeachable integrity. Do we have such senior police officers these days?
The New Top Cop should not be compromised by his own past or his Parliamentary/political Minister. The Government Cabinet man must be entitled to his policy directions, even occasional personal requests, I concede, but the Commissioner must know the law enough to follow police procedure even if it displeases his Minister.
The current Minister can point to numerous initiatives to promote police/public safety security. But the reality of criminal enterprise is evidence to the contrary. The public therefore has a reasonable expectation that any new Commissioner would display professional pride and independence, apart from the protection of his pension. But who is that person!?
Do you realise…
*1) That the numerous acquittals of murder accused can inspire the violent young to disregard human life when they commit crimes?
*2) That “protocols” for prominent law-breakers can influence disrespect for our laws?
*3) That we citizens are never told the final findings related to aviation accidents even though we are the passengers?
*4) That the quality and decorum of too many Parliamentary debates are significantly diminished?
*5) That the West Indies will retain the T20 World Cup title?
Til next week!
(Comments? allanafenty@yahoo.com)
