The GAWU has noted the expressions of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo) in the August 05, 2022, Kaieteur News. Having digested the sentiments expressed, for the sake of clarity we wish to re-emphasize certain statements expressed beforehand. We believe it is necessary also to offer some other perspectives.
In seeking to distance himself from the purchase of the articulated tractors, the CEO shared that deliberations took place at the level of a Board sub-committee. The Subcommittee he referred to is the Board’s Procurement Committee. All considerations and deliberations by this sub-committee are based on formal recommendations by Executive Management. In the case of the articulated tractors, the CEO has affirmed that the recommendation to pursue articulated tractors emanated from his ‘technical personnel’. As the CEO was he not involved in the articulation of the recommendation?
The CEO highlighted the presence of the Union’s representative on the sub-committee. On this issue, as we pointed out previously, the sub-committee comprised several other directors, and it was their collective deliberations that led to a position that such tractors be bought for trials to determine their efficacy. When this matter was discussed with the highest levels of the Government of Guyana, it was ordered that the Company purchase two (2) such tractors which will used for trails. It further reinforces the appropriateness of the Procurement Committee’s decision making
The CEO speaks voluminously regarding the independent report done by a team of engineers of the Ministry of Agriculture. Our Union has obtained a copy of this report and has carefully perused the findings therein. Of significant note to us was that the team when addressing the productivity of the articulated versus fixed frame tractors reproduced GuySuCo data on a report that previously done by its own ‘technical’ personnel. Instructively, GuySuCo’s data was prepared long before any decision was made on the procurement of the articulated tractor and even before the submission of the independent team of the Ministry of Agriculture We would have thought that independent team would have sought to at least confirm what the Corporation’s ‘technical’ personnel would have advanced, rather than replicating all of GuySuCo’s productivity and operating parameters in their report The GAWU did recognize the team offered other findings but for us productivity and operating parameters remain the critical considerations, and these parameters were determined by GuySuCo’s “technical personnel’ The independent team did not submit, in our view, an independent report.
Our Union has also received confidentially the results of an actual trial between the two (2) types of machines (fixed frame and articulated) at Albion Estate during 2021. That evaluation offers varying perspective on the efficacy of one machine type as against the other. Those findings may require more careful and deeper examination and analysis. On that note, we recognised the attempt by the Board of Directors of GuySuCo to undertake such examination. Unfortunately, efforts in this regard it appears were thwarted and may have suffered a still birth.
The CEO alluded prominently to the qualified personnel who examined the matter. While that may have some relevance it is also hard to ignore personnel who have long years of practical experience in the sugar cane cultivation and more specifically mechanical tillage operations. The GAWU in seeking to get a better understanding of the two (2) types of tractor technologies engaged workers who would have utilized both types of machines. The workers have expressed their concerns regarding the new technology (articulated) being touted from several perspectives. This causes us serious apprehensions as their practical views should not be discounted.
Through the interview the CEO also disclosed he was unaware of a proposal sent to the Company earlier this year by the articulated tractor company (GAME). Maybe it is that the CEO is unable to fully digest documentation regarding the purchase of important tools for the industry? We are aware of the CEO’s presence at a meeting recently where the articulated tractor proposal was discussed among other proposals for tillage tractors. According to a GuySuCo social media post it was learnt that emanating from that meeting John Deere tractors were purchased.
The GAWU wants to see the sugar industry succeed and play an even more meaningful role in our country. Such efforts of course require an all-hands-on deck approach. To seek to alienate those who may have differing views cannot be helpful. As efforts are made to stabilize the industry, the judicious use of resources while employing appropriate and tested technologies to improve production and productivity. In the meantime, the Union’s Executive Committee is addressing its presence at the level of the GuySuCo Board of Directors and at an appropriate time will make its position known.
