Govt studying Guysuco Commission of Inquiry report

Last Updated on Wednesday, 2 December 2015, 21:23 by GxMedia

The long awaited Commission of Inquiry report on the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) has been described as an eye opener, by Minister of State Joseph Harmon, based on the amount of information that emanated from it, according to the Government Information Agency (GINA).

 He congratulated the commissioners who worked on the comprehensive report, when he addressed a post-Cabinet media briefing today at the Ministry of the Presidency. The Minister described them as, “very experienced people in factory, field, the marketing of sugar, and the economic environment of sugar”.

Whilst the way forward for GuySuCo will be guided by the findings of the report, Minister Harmon reminded of President David Granger’s instruction that any deliberation of the sector must take into consideration that it is a national matter.

 Cabinet met with the commissioners last Saturday and due to the magnitude of information provided, they have asked for time to study what was provided. Cabinet will re-engage the commissioners after this is done, Minister Harmon said, and added that this is being done expeditiously.

The industry was recently hampered by industrial actions initiated by the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) over the Annual Production Incentive (API) offered by the corporation. The Parliamentary Opposition affiliated union has requested a better API and a salary increase, and has rejected the 2.7 days API offered by the company.

 The sugar sector, despite the industrial action, is on track to meet its production target which is set at 227,443 tonnes.