Dear Editor,
Former President, Donald Ramotar in his letter in SN April 8 “Most GuySuCo letter writers have engaged in blame shifting” in reference to the new Skeldon Factory stated, in part, that “by 2015 most of the problems were resolved by GuySuCo’s workers and management” is plainly wrong. The problems at this factory were never resolved. Apart from the many problems associated with mechanical harvesting of canes that included canes going into the factory with large quantities of mud and trash, the throughput of the factory was never met. The 2 punt dumpers were one of several problems that plagued the new factory, and it was never fixed, despite engaging a high-cost South African engineering consultant.
The design of the factory provided for an overall supply of approximately 1.0 million tonnes of cane per year from 12,800 hectares of land; comprised of a third each from the old estate, cane farmers and
expansion of new estate lands. The average yield of 75 tonnes of cane per hectare was never achieved. The design further provided for an intake of 300 tonnes of cane per hour for at least 120 hours per week for approximately 30 weeks to yield a target of 100,000 tonnes sugar per year. None of these indicators were ever achieved. The assertion that “from the second crop of 2014 and in 2015 Skeldon surpassed its targets and began to lead the industry” is misleading. The targets were never reflective of the estate’s potential of 100,000 tonnes sugar per year. They were significantly lower than 100,000 tonnes, even from the time of its commission.
Editor, as we are on GuySuCo, it is extremely disappointing to note that a company that was once known as an “employer of choice” and a once profitable organisation that attained production levels of 300,000 plus tonnes sugar per year is unable in the current crop to produce 6,000 tonnes sugar with four operating estates, and its cost of production (US$1,600 per tonne) is almost twice the best-selling price per tonne ($750). President Ali recently announced at Blairmont Estate that GuySuCo will produce 100,000 tonnes sugar this year. It will be interesting to see the company producing 94,000 tonnes in the second crop. Analysis of the President’s announcement that 140,000 tonnes will be produced next year will be left for another time.
Sincerely,
Ash Sen
