Hundreds of workers from GuySuCo are expected to be retained as the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) will be taking over maintenance of the drainage and irrigation systems from the sugar company.
According to a release on Monday from the Department of Public Information (DPI), CEO of the NDIA, Frederick Flatts confirmed that the Authority would be taking over the works and that some systems have already been put in place for them to assume control of the maintenance of drainage and irrigation canals that were previously controlled by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).
“We have received some additional money to carry out those works. So, we have had discussions with GuySuCo to that end, and shortly NDIA will take over that responsibility,” the statement quoted Flatts saying.
Additionally, he pointed out that it is unlikely that any of the workers would be made redundant from the changing of the administration.
A source from the sugar company also related to Stabroek News that hundreds of workers are expected to be retained from GuySuCo as the NDIA takes over the operations of the systems.
“We will ask GuySuCo to carry out the works and GuySuCo will decide what they do. It is expected they will have the same staff. The way we discussed with GuySuCo is that at least for the first, we will have to depend upon them [GuySuCo] to assist. For example, with the pump stations, we do not want to go there and remove all the men and take new men. So, virtually we would have the same people. It makes sense to continue to use the people who were employed by GuySuCo and I suspect it is the same thing which will happen with the drains and the canals, the structures,” Flatts noted.
GuySuCo has been responsible for the maintenance of drainage and irrigational canals that linked communities across the coastland. Persons from communities such as Enmore and its surrounding environs had expressed worry and concern about what will happen to the drainage and irrigation system once the estates close their doors.
