Will the New GuySuCo become financially self-sufficient?

Dear Editor,

The letter from Harry Hergash captioned ‘New GuySuCo launch more of a public relations exercise than an explication of the future of the corporation’ (SN, July 6) was spot-on on in exposing the sugar company’s attempt at a publicity stunt in rebranding it the ‘New GuySuCo’. The company had failed to provide any details, not only to the taxpaying public, but to the hardworking sugar workers, who so far since the new government took office are yet to be given a pay increase, or told what the ingredients are which are responsible for the ‘Old GuySuCo’ to be rebranded ‘New GuySuCo’.

The fundamental question put by the taxpaying public to this New GuySuCo, is will the rebranding lead to financial self-sufficiency by the company so that there will be no need for a state subsidy, and if so, when can the taxpayers expect this to happen? Editor, if the rebranding is just a publicity gimmick as pointed out by Mr Hergash, then it’s just a waste of time. It is spending money on public relations and paying wages to workers to attend the sessions where corporate executives will sell this ‘New GuySuCo’ concept.

Mr Hergash further extolled the credentials of Vibert Parvatan and Nowrang Persaud and questioned the wisdom of GuySuCo for not having these two gentlemen on its payroll along with the several it has of the same era and ilk. Both gentlemen are eminent in their own professions, but when GuySuCo is presently crammed with highly paid septuagenarians and octogenarians, why add another two to the establishment, and what can these people contribute to cause a major turnaround in the fortunes of this financially beleaguered company?

Where is the scope for young Guyanese to take up executive positions in the company if every opening is filled by aged executives?

The University of Guyana churns out graduates each year, with very little scope and promise for employment that is commensurate with their skills and training, and even that little scope and promise are eroded by geriatrics, who have already garnered great financial accomplishments in their respective fields, and are still doing so. No wonder that our young trained professionals seek job opportunities abroad and our leaders are perpetually lamenting about their departures.

Yours faithfully,

Altaf Mohamed Sayad