Latest update April 18th, 2024 12:59 AM
Aug 09, 2011 News
– GuySuCo CEO
By Leon Suseran
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GuySuCo, Paul Bhim, labelled 2010 as a year full of challenges for the sugar
industry citing production of just 220,000 tons of sugar – the lowest in a number of years. He was addressing the Champion Workers and their families, as well as other sugar industry workers at the Annual Honour’s Roll Function at Blairmont on Sunday last.
He outlined several other issues during the past year which made it a “very difficult one for the industry”, which included the damaged #1 Boiler at the Skeldon Sugar Factory, resulting in a reduction in production of more than 50%.
“The low input that the steam generation problems caused, badly affected our sugar economy at that location. And to top it all, the weather phenomenon, La Niña, had a negative effect on our production drive,” Bhim reflected.
He mentioned several major worker disputes and that “these instances actually contributed to a significant carry over of canes from 2010 to 2011”. He thanked the Government and the shareholders for stepping in at the end of 2010 with the injection of cash which allowed the company to pay a wage increase.
“GuySuCo on its own could not have done that. We just did not have enough cash.”
The CEO lauded the Enmore Packaging Plant and expressed deepest sympathies to the family of Jainaraine Singh, who lost his life recently at the facility.
Enlightening the gathering on the production numbers, Bhim said that prior to 2011, the first crop saw an improvement in production with “nearly 110,000 tons of sugar being produced”, and he said that they are working towards producing the 300,000 tons for this year, “which, if achieved, will greater improve and enhance our financial position”.
“Our second crop has just commenced and will see the return of the Skeldon #1 Boiler into operation which will certainly boost production at that factory.”
Bhim stated that the company will increase its production of Demerara Gold which he emphasised “is in great demand and does attract a premium price”.
He noted that for the first time for the entire crop, they will be processing both LBI and Enmore canes at the Enmore factory.
Completion of the land expansion at Skeldon, including farmers’ land, will be completed by the end of the year, “increasing significantly our sale of packaged sugar, which does attract a very lucrative market all over the world”.
The CEO praised mechanized harvesting and noted the large sums of money the industry injects into this initiative.
“We have to ensure that the Skeldon Factory can fully achieve 350 tons of cane per hour. This would require some further investment in the factory, which we are currently addressing.”
He stressed that for production to improve and for the industry to succeed given “the very lucrative world market prices”, the workers must respond positively.
“One of the major challenges facing this corporation is the poor turnout of workers, not only cane harvesters, but workers across the spectrum. This is more pronounced on the Demerara Estates.”
Bhim said it is of little benefit for the corporation to “invest substantial sums in growing cane which are then left in the ground”. He appealed to workers to join with management in working to maximize production.
“This is the key for paying improved wages and providing better working conditions for all in this great industry. Only then can this industry reclaim its rightful place as one of Guyana’s major contributors to economic growth and become a premier employer,” he asserted.
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