Latest update April 18th, 2024 12:59 AM
Dec 03, 2008 News
– Commission
The independent examination into the low productivity of East Demerara Sugar Estates has concluded with the Commission of Inquiry noting that there is urgent need for major rehabilitation of the infrastructure on the estates.
Yesterday, Chairman of the Commission, Vic Oudit, in presenting the report by the Commission to Agriculture Minister, Robert Persaud, said that there is also need for greater management presence in the fields.
He noted that training cannot be over emphasised as workers need to make better use of the Port Mourant training centre.
“The unfortunate thing is that this decline occurred at an estate on which both the Head Office and the Agriculture Research Centre are located. We feel that enough attention was not placed on the estate by the powers that be at the Head Office and the Agriculture Research Centre,” Oudit told Minister Robert Persaud.
At the same time, he pointed out, there is need also to work on the overall moral of management.
He added that the ‘blame game’ should be forsaken, stressing the necessity for greater accountability.
The production inquiry commenced on October 7 last.
The review examined land preparation, sugar cane agronomy, use of field machines and equipment, cane transport, use of fertilisers and maintenance of field infrastructure.
Speaking at the handing over ceremony, Minister Persaud said that there are serious issues within GuySuCo.
This year will be a very tough year for GuySuCo as it will end the year with a deficit in excess of $3B.
“What we have seen this year is an accumulation of neglect and other factors, including the inability of the new factory to come on stream very early.”
There are weaknesses in the management of the company at different levels, he added.
Over the years, GuySuCo has consistently reviewed its production targets, including this year’s, and among the many excuses proffered are far reaching strikes, weather and loss of opportunity.
GuySuCo has come in for heavy criticisms over the past year, with its problems compounding last Saturday when the arbitration tribunal set up to deal with the wages dispute between the corporation and its workers ruled that the company should pay $1.3B to its workers.
This accounts for a six percent across the board payment along with a further 2.1 percent one-off payment as cost of living adjustment for 2008.
However, given GuySuCo’s financial constraints, the company has been given until March 2009 to pay the living adjustment to workers.
Soured wage negotiations between the company and GAWU resulted in workers taking industrial action which lasted for almost four weeks.
Both sides are bound by the decision of the arbitration panel.
(Tusika Martin)
JAGDEO ADDING MORE DANGER TO GUYANA AND THE REGION
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