The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) attention was drawn to a Capitol News report regarding a press conference by the junior coalition partner – the Alliance for Change (AFC) – that appeared on the November 27, 2020 newscast. In that report the AFC continued to spew its venom and spite against the sugar industry and more so the tens of thousands who depend on the industry.
The waning political grouping deemed the monies invested by the Irfaan Ali Administration into resuscitating the sugar industry as a massive misspending to create jobs. The oxymoron aside we are hardly surprised by the now fringe political party. We contend that it is this misguided thought process that has it sitting in the opposition benches. While the AFC has labelled the support to the industry as “bad economics” it hardly appears that the party really understands economics. Had the party had a real understanding of economics it would probably know that support of the State to industry’s which provide significant employment is not unusual. It would know that economics apart from recognizing profit and loss takes into account opportunity costs. Indeed when opportunity costs are accounted for, the support of the State is more than worthwhile.
The AFC has chosen, dishonourably in our view, to label the support to the industry as “sectarian”. In our multi-ethnic society, the terms chosen by the Party are most irresponsible if not reckless. But, moreover, it is sad that the party has chosen to see the support through such a warped lens. The reality, however, disputes the AFC’s maligned contentions. The truth of the matter is GuySuCo has employees from all walks of life and backgrounds. Therefore, we find the remarks must unfortunate and a gross distortion.
Unbelievably the party’s leader, Mr Khemraj Ramjattan who spoke on this matter on the AFC’s behalf disowned and disavowed any responsibility regarding the situation of the sugar industry. This for us is a downright shame and an ignorance of the truth. The truth of the matter is that it was an AFC Minister which who has responsibility of the sugar industry during the Coalition’s stint in office. Moreover, it was Mr Ramjattan himself who led the Government’s delegation when the Administration closed its eyes, ears and mind to any rational or reasonably recommendation to turnaround to fortunes of the sugar industry. So now for Mr Ramjattan, who in March, 2015 at Whim exclaimed at a Coalition rally that the APNU+AFC if elected into office would not “…in anyway close the sugar industry…”, is downright shameful. But the fact that the AFC ignominiously has chosen to ignore its destructive period in the industry says a lot about the character of the party.
Mr Ramjattan at the virtual press conference said that the industry was right sized so that his Government could save money. So it appears Mr Ramjattan’s view of saving money regards making jobless 7,000 Guyanese and pushing into a papuerised state tens of thousands more. But even with Mr Ramjattan’s Government ‘right-sizing’ the industry floundered. The proof is in the pudding as the industry cannot this year realise its production target as the Coalition, when in office, starved the industry of funds for recapitalization which it borrowed. It starved the industry to the point that GuySuCo’s former chairman, Mr John Dow in desperation wrote former President David Granger in May, this year to appeal for the Government to release funds else the industry would have to padlock its gates. So while Mr Ramjattan may wish to engage in all the hullaballoo he wants but the facts aren’t on his side.
Mr Ramjattan contended that the support to the sugar industry was “…shovelling resources down a black hole…”. Again, such talk from the AFC leader is not surprising. Moreover, it again exposes the character of the party’s attitude towards the sugar industry. It also demonstrates that it really cannot be taken at face value. For the thousands of sugar workers and the thousands who are anxiously awaiting re-employment as works advance towards the re-opening of the closed estates, they are heartened that they have now allies and not enemies in the Government. They recognise that the country’s leaders have demonstrated their commitment not only to the industry but ensuring that they can live contended lives. While we know the road ahead will not be easy and challenges would undoubtedly seek to upset progress, we believe that collaborative efforts could play a meaningful role and enhance the advancement of the sugar industry.
