Berbicians’ livelihoods will be significantly disrupted if the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuco) downsizes its operations.
This is according to the General Secretary of the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Dr Bharrat Jagdeo.
Dr Jagdeo’s statements come in response to the Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton, announcing his party’s intention not to support the expansion of the sugar industry if they are elected to government.
Importantly, what is not being considered is that sugar production is the primary source of job opportunities and income for families. Dr Jagdeo emphasised that removing disposable income from people would affect the entire region, as the source of income from sugar employment is essential for the local economy.
“The source of the disposable income is the source for other people, who are selling other types of services,” the general secretary said at a press conference held at Freedom House on Thursday.
Jagdeo criticised the previous APNU/AFC government for denying that they would shut down estates during their campaign trail, which they eventually did, leaving over 7000 workers without a source of income.
Their actions, he noted led to the total collapse of the Berbice economy from 2015 to 2020.
The current PPP/C Administration has invested billions to revive the industry and provide disposable income to families.
The industry not only provides employment opportunities, but also supports the drainage and irrigation network for households in the area.
Dr Jagdeo highlighted that without functioning sugar estates, villages could experience flooding and property damage due to the intricate drainage system that is connected to the estates.
“If…there was no functioning sugar estate, you would have to spend maybe 30 per cent more on DNI…in those areas, it’s a complex system that operates…I don’t expect Norton and the others to understand that,” he further expounded.
The previous government closed several estates from 2015 to 2020, including the Wales, Enmore, Rose Hall and Skeldon Estates.
As part of its 2020-2025 manifesto, the current administration has reopened and revitalised the Rose Hall Estate and rehired hundreds of workers, with efforts underway to reopen the Skeldon Estate.
Additionally, the Enmore Estate is being transformed into a sugar refinery to generate additional income, and the Wales Estate has been converted into the Wales Development Authority.
GuySuco is also making significant strides in modernisation and mechanisation through the government’s investments.