Dear Editor,
I must remind my fellow citizens that GuySuCo produced 231,145 tonnes of sugar at the end of 2015.
In commenting on performance, GuySuCo’s CEO in his year-end media engagements concluded that the 2015 performance was due to “lack of political interference” stating that “we have been allowed to manage”. He further posited that “My mind is now on 2016. We will be working to achieve 240,000 tonnes so we have to start refining our strategies to be able to be on top of our game.”- Guyana Chronicle, December 26, 2015.
As a result of the 2015 performance, Government renewed a contract for the Interim Management Committee (IMC). In this renewal process, in January 2016, the IMC (CEO and Finance Director) approved an adjustment to their own benefits package to obtain a higher net income as compared to when they assumed office in June 2015. Today, they receive G.2 million and G.5 million per month respectively apart from other perks. The IMC may refute this and should provide evidence to justify their claims.
After telling this nation in December 2015 that no political interference contributed to increase in sugar production, engineering a bigger net income for himself and sidekick and reassuring everyone that they will be “on top” of their game to achieve 240,000 tonnes sugar in 2016, the IMC delivers a production of 183,652 tonnes. A whopping 24 per cent drop from target of 240,000 tonnes and a 25-year low for this Government. Incidentally, it is also this Government’s second lowest production record while managing the country in different eras. This performance bears every characteristic of gross incompetence of the IMC and misguidance to Government. The IMC is a well-paid, incompetent, clueless and visionless two-man team.
Fellow citizens, if Government is unwilling to ask, it is time that we ask ourselves some questions:
1. How long will this administration continue to pay an IMC G.7 million per month for this level of incompetence?
2. Did GuySuCo’s CEO deliberately mislead this Government and nation on its 2016 estimate of 240,000 tonnes?
3. What caused a drop of 24 per cent from target? El-Nino and Strikes are worn out excuses of the past.
4. Did heavy political interference in management cause this 24 per cent drop in production (using the CEO’s reasoning)?
5. Is this CEO working towards closing the industry without providing alternative employment to poor workers? Is this his vision?
6. What is the projected sugar production for 2017? Will this CEO mislead Government and mismanage again?
Editor, I ask our Government and specifically our Honourable Prime Minister and Public Security Minister who were very vociferous on sugar prior to assuming office to answer these questions.
Sincerely,
Sookram Persaud
