Our Union – the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) – as a responsible organization wishes to respond to Mr Gobin Harbhajan’s letter entitled “Thanking GAWU, PPP, Jagdeo for making me a household name” which appeared in the October 14, 2017 Guyana Chronicle and in the October 15, 2017 Kaieteur News under the title “PM’s Berbice representative challenges PPP on Skeldon factory”. The PM’s Region #6 representative, in the latest letter under his name, claimed our Union and the PPP made him famous and well-known in the Region. We find this statement interesting and wonder what he was doing in the two (2) plus years as the PM’s rep prior to his new found fame. Was it a case of him just twiddling his thumbs? We certainly hope not given the extravagant package it is said he benefits from.
Mr Harbhajan then goes on to say that the Opposition Leader has accepted privatization of the sugar industry pointing out that the gentleman has called for transparent arrangements regarding the sale of Skeldon Estate. While Mr Jagdeo is more than capable for responding on his own, we believe, it is wicked to make such a misleading inference. GAWU has also called for the sale of Skeldon, if it is pursued, to be above-board and fully transparent especially so given the harping by GuySuCo about inefficiencies and costs. But that does not mean we are supportive of the sale. We remain staunchly opposed to the sale and closure of any estate for reasons we have outlined in our responses to Mr Harbhajan’s previous letters appearing in the press. Nevertheless, we recognize that if this is the course the Government will run into pigheadedly, the arrangements, given the scope and value of the asset we are selling, should ensure that the process is open and above reproach.
We are then told about Mr Harbhajan’s achievements. Oh what a list it is – the construction of a road and assisting Berbicians to engage Government agencies and officials towards resolving their problems. Mr Harbhajan these are your responsibilities as a Regional Councillor. Similar feats have been achieved by several of your predecessors without them boasting or claiming a fanciful title or receiving superb benefits and allowances you enjoy. But you know what they say about empty barrels Mr Harbhajan.
Finally, the PM’s rep speaks about the dumping of cane juice at Skeldon which he says our Union was aware of. This again is wholly untrue. Prior to Mr Harbhajan’s belated announcement in a recent edition of the Kaieteur News, the GAWU was never made aware of such an occurrence. Moreover, GuySuCo at its October 13 press conference, according to the October 15, 2017 Kaieteur News, denied Mr Harbhajan’s assertion. Also, we find it odd that Mr Harbhajan having knowledge of the dumping of cane juice since December, 2016, according to what is reported in the Kaieteur News, only chose to come forward in September, 2017, ten months later. This is strange especially given the hullaballoo he is making on the issue. Certainly given the ‘active’ approach he says he is taking towards matters which come to his attention, his response is sorely lacking here.
The PM’s Region #6 man haste to claim fame says a lot about him as a person and a leader. He should also know that his fame may not turn out to be a good thing for him and history has recorded such experiences of infamous persons. History will ultimately judge Mr Harbhajan and his colleagues’ notoriety for their role in minimizing sugar and pushing thousands of Guyanese to impoverishment and misery.
