Skeldon factory test a success

More to be done
The two-day testing of the Skeldon Sugar Modernization Plant (SSMP) has been a success despite delays and “hiccups” in the start-up process and the first batch of sugar is expected to be produced today.

The almost US$200M expansion project had experienced hurdles with the starting up of the factory. Vice-president of the contracting company, China National Technology Import/Export Corporation (CNTIC), Zhang Goudong assured that there are no serious problems and that “everything is working well.” He said the delay was due to technical issues as well as the long wait in transporting the equipment. More tests would be done in greater volumes and Goudong said that he would remain in Guyana until they are successfully completed.

Goudong also said that more local operators are needed to be trained as to how the system works in order to have a smooth and effective transition. Currently, a third of the old Skeldon factory staff is already working with Chinese staff in the operation of the new factory and more staff will be deployed when commercial operations begin.

During a tour at the factory yesterday, Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud, told reporters that the “second round of testing indicated that the contractors have made some progress.” He said workers of Guysuco are working with the contractors to ensure that the factory works satisfactorily. The contractors would be handing over the factory to Guysuco at the completion of the testing and more personnel would be taken on board.

The minister said that the factory represents a tremendous investment with the latest technology and as such it should have the right management to go forward. Persaud expressed dissatisfaction with Guysuco’s management and has said that in another two weeks Booker Tate would no longer be responsible for certain components of the factory.
In a recent statement, government had criticized the corporation’s drop in production and had ordered that immediate steps be taken to correct the situation. The statement said that “Production targets for the past several years are constantly being reduced and the litany of reasons has become wider, more all-embracing and repetitive.”

Last weekend Persaud held a special board meeting with general managers of all the estates as well as other senior employees at the La Bonne Intention (LBI) Estate to discuss additional steps to improve production.

He told the media that the agricultural department of Guysuco is the main slippage and that a new deputy chief executive would have to be appointed.

Since the new factory was not operational for the start of the second sugar crop, the old Skeldon factory had to be pressed back into service. This means that the corporation will not likely meet its roduction  target this year.