Baksh is not the man for the job

Dear Editor,

It is quite clear that the PPP/C administration has absolutely no regard for fairness and is all bent in providing jobs for their boys.

In the height of the Bhai Shan Lin lumber scandal the government has seen it fit to appoint former Minister Shaik Baksh, whose latest position was Chief Executive Officer of Guyana Water Inc, as Chairman of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo). This is a brazen act by the Donald Ramotar administration to appoint a party supporter who does not have a high reputation to fill a key position he is not qualified to perform.

As far as I am aware the job of Chairman of the important office of GuySuCo needs a qualified person in economics/finance, commerce, agriculture and management, and must have excellent public relations. Mr Baksh has a Bachelors and Masters Degree in Management and absolutely no academic qualifications or experience in agriculture, economics/finance and commerce. Moreover his track record is not so good, having been removed from two ministries: Housing and Education.

Agriculture Minister Leslie Ramsammy said, “It is projected that the sugar industry will record an improvement of 15.5% in production output to 215,910 tonnes this year…” Moreso GuySuCo will be targeting increased production and lower costs of production; diversified target markets and the expansion of value-added production in order to survive.

The question is can the corporation reach its target when the new Chairman is so inexperienced in sugar production.

I wonder why GAWU boss, Komal Chand, an experienced trade unionist and an influential person in the industry has declined an offer to sit on the Board.

What is more disturbing is that this government seems to be recycling misfits when the country has a barrage of qualified persons. However, most of them are not party supporters because Mr Ramotar and his cabinet do not need individuals who can think for themselves. They want ‘yes’ men.

GuySuCo is the biggest corporation and employs more than 20,000 persons, but according to reports it is moving downhill because of poor administration and other problems. The appointment of Mr Baksh at the helm will not assist.

The government should bear in mind that it is the sugar industry which is responsible for the success of thousands of Guyanese who are now scattered all over the world, and all efforts should be made to bring back sugar as it was before nationalization.

Remember the term ‘King Sugar’?

 Yours faithfully,

Oscar Ramjeet