DUANVALE, Trelawny (Jamaica Observer) — Chairman of the All-Island Jamaica Cane Farmers’ Association Allan Rickards (AIJCFA) says a number of the projects financed by European Union (EU) money under the Sugar Transformation Unit (STU) in the Ministry of Agriculture, are politically selected for the benefit of the cane farming communities.
“Frankly we think some of the choices are political. I might as well say it,” Rickards said.
He was speaking at the Duanvale Cane Farmers Group’s annual general meeting held at the Duanvale All Age School Tuesday evening.
During the meeting vice-chairman of the Duanvale Cane Farmers Group, Samuel ‘Sir T’ Thomas raised the issue with the guest speaker, Head of Delegation of the European Union to Jamaica, Ambassador Paola Amadei, that members of his group want to play an integral role in the identification of the projects.
“The funds are used to build libraries, stadiums and all these things. What we are asking, could some of the funds be directed to the association to help us fix our roads and to put into other areas so that we can improve our product (sugar cane),” Thomas questioned.
“The roads are bad and we need assistance. What we are doing is the chairman is going from Ministry to Ministry and beg and what he gets is not enough.”
But, Amadei expressed that it is the Government of Jamaica that chooses the projects under the programme, without the interference of the EU.
“We work together with the Government of Jamaica. In the case of the Sugar Programme, the funds are directed to the Government of Jamaica. What we do, we agree with the Government on objectives we don’t identify one by one the investments. Its different in the case of the sugar quarters because it was specific but for the other projects the one you mention with the library, with the community centre,” Amadei explained.
She further explained that, “the objective defined by the EU is upliftment of condition for the sugar dependent community”.
“But we don’t say you are to build 10 libraries, five schools- it’s not predetermined. We request that the Government of Jamaica prove that they have used this fund for the upliftment of the community,” the head of Delegation of the European Union to Jamaica said.
She instructed the members of the cane farmers association to amplify their concerns to the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.
“I understand what you are appealing and in my impression those appeals should go directly to the Ministry of Agriculture Sugar Transformation Unit in order for the decisions on the investment to be shared with you and also to give particular attention to those investments which would increase the benefits to the production,” Amadei said.
“I will pass on the message, but I think that your organisation which is a major stakeholder should make your voice heard as a priority.”
The All-Island Jamaica Cane Farmers’ Association chairman was in agreement.
“You know what ambassador, you touched a nerve when you said we would like to have a bigger say in the projects that are chosen,” Rickards expressed.
