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FM
Former Member

Against all odds… PPP Govt will reopen sugar estates–Jagdeo

https://www.kaieteurnewsonline...ugar-estates-jagdeo/

Jan 24, 2019 | News

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is one of the many institutions that has advocated for Guyana’s authorities to reduce the size of its sugar industry since it was too costly to upkeep production at competitive rates.

Following this advice, the APNU+AFC administration closed four estates, which displaced over 4,000 sugar workers, leaving them without a social net or programme to fall back on.

But this state of affairs could all be temporary. According to Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, if the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) wins the next elections, its members will find a way to reopen the estates.

Jagdeo said, “The PPP will find a way of reopening the estates that are closed so as to put people back to work. We will explore all forms of partnerships to get that done plus innovative financing and investments so people can return to providing for their families.”

The PPP General Secretary said that through a series of investment initiatives and support from the treasury, the workers from the Wales Estate would benefit from the PPP Government.

He said, “We had said last year that we would also assist the sugar workers directly, that is, through a stipend. But if we can find jobs for everyone then we wouldn’t have to resort to that because they would be employed.”

The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) is using three estates for production – Blairmont and Albion in Berbice and Uitvlugt in West Demerara.

The remaining four estates, Wales (West Bank Demerara); Enmore (East Demerara) and Rose Hall and Skeldon (East Berbice), are up for offers of divestment and privatization.

BUILDING A RESILIENT ECONOMY
Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, had warned that it is not likely that the APNU+AFC administration would be able to build a resilient economy by the next General and Regional Elections if radical changes are not made.

In this regard, the Finance Minister, “Unless we are prepared to move away from sugar as we know it, into value added and take opportunities available in Caricom markets but more particularly Brazil, once we can get a road going there,” then the nation cannot expect a sudden turnaround in the way the economy responds to external shocks.

The Finance Minister said that to get to resilience, which means the economy can withstand shocks, Guyana would have to move away from primary production into the next stage of the value chain. He said it would also require that the Government put in place, climate resilient infrastructure and practices.

The economist said, “We just won’t move from 50 years of doing the same thing into resilience. It has to be diversified and it has to be green and withstand shocks that are ever present when you are involved in primary production.”

He continued, “Even if you were able to produce all the sugar you desired, we would have trouble because we don’t have a captive market anymore. We have to go out there and hustle like everyone else.

“At no time, certainly in the post-independence period, were we able to produce sugar at a price that could have competed on the international market.”

Jordan added, “We always had to have some form of protection along the way. We had a long protection under the European Union artificial price, which allowed us to stay in it for a very long time and perhaps it was a good or a bad thing.

“It perhaps was a bad thing in the sense that, were we forced to adjust using international prices as our benchmark then who knows; we might have been a different sugar entity today.”

Replies sorted oldest to newest

A stipend is not a bad idea especially with oil money in the pipeline. It will stimulate economic activity. He should have probably done the same for bauxite workers years ago though.

 

FM
VishMahabir posted:

Sugar is DEAD....why open the industry????

because the PNC closed the estates down to punish the coolies. Do you ever wonder why the US government provide subsidies to the farmers Half Brain?

FM
Last edited by Former Member
VishMahabir posted:

Sugar is DEAD....why open the industry????

Sugar was still a foreign exchange earner. Although Government was subsidizing the industry, TAXES were paid back to the government, and there was a spin off for other businesses. 

The government on the other hand is subsidizing FREE electricity for Linden and is not getting back anything in return.

Don't know why you hate cane cutter so much.

FM
skeldon_man posted:
VishMahabir posted:

Sugar is DEAD....why open the industry????

because the PNC closed the estates down to punish the coolies. Do you ever wonder why the US government provide subsidies to the farmers Half Brain?

A some Broadside he want with a 22 

FM
yuji22 posted:

You guys can borrow the 22 from my Yuji22 handle. That is why I added it to my handle. Very few posters except brother Gil knows what the 22 cutlass on my handle means. 

Bai the 22 might get you on murder or attempted murder charge. A good pailin stave hit on the head might be sufficient to do the damage. This VishMohobeer is like soap bubble.

FM
Last edited by Former Member

I support any stipend that will help the poor. President Ali’s coffers will be overflowing with gold so why not throw a bone to the underlyings.  God will bless him tremendously with a second term in office if he can prove himself.  

And this will keep Anil and Frank out of office for a nice ten years until the PNC take over again.

Bibi Haniffa
Last edited by Bibi Haniffa
skeldon_man posted:
yuji22 posted:

You guys can borrow the 22 from my Yuji22 handle. That is why I added it to my handle. Very few posters except brother Gil knows what the 22 cutlass on my handle means. 

Bai the 22 might get you on murder or attempted murder charge. A good pailin stave hit on the head might be sufficient to do the damage. This VishMohobeer is like soap bubble.

Na, just use the 22 cutlass to broadside their backside. 

FM
ronan posted:

anyone care to comment on the special "stipend"?

THAT, after all, is the topic here

smh

This is not bad provided it is accompanied with a plan for economic independence and sustainability of the individual.  The Govt should also look into micro soft loans to get those who want to into business.  

They should also offer this to bauxite workers!

Baseman
Baseman posted:
ronan posted:

anyone care to comment on the special "stipend"?

THAT, after all, is the topic here

smh

This is not bad provided it is accompanied with a plan for economic independence and sustainability of the individual.  The Govt should also look into micro soft loans to get those who want to into business.  

They should also offer this to bauxite workers!

They are already getting a stipend...subsidized electricity.

FM
Baseman posted:
ronan posted:

anyone care to comment on the special "stipend"?

THAT, after all, is the topic here

smh

 

They should also offer this to bauxite workers!

You are aware Linden is getting subsidy for electricity....they are leaving their lights on 24/7 and have consume more KWH than paying GT residence. 

Why would you suggest they get more?

FM
Bibi Haniffa posted:

I support any stipend that will help the poor. President Ali’s coffers will be overflowing with gold so why not throw a bone to the underlyings.

actually, that’s NOT what Jagdeo is proposing

that’s more like what Clive Thomas was suggesting . . . did you support Clive then?

FM
Dave posted:
Baseman posted:
ronan posted:

anyone care to comment on the special "stipend"?

THAT, after all, is the topic here

smh

 

They should also offer this to bauxite workers!

You are aware Linden is getting subsidy for electricity....they are leaving their lights on 24/7 and have consume more KWH than paying GT residence. 

Why would you suggest they get more?

Why not?  The pie is big enough for everyone to get a piece.  The goal of communism is equality and at the same time we will be fulfilling the mantra of the manifesto.  Karl Marx will bless us tremendously.  And everyone will be happy.

Bibi Haniffa
Bibi Haniffa posted:
Dave posted:
Baseman posted:
ronan posted:

anyone care to comment on the special "stipend"?

THAT, after all, is the topic here

smh

 

They should also offer this to bauxite workers!

You are aware Linden is getting subsidy for electricity....they are leaving their lights on 24/7 and have consume more KWH than paying GT residence. 

Why would you suggest they get more?

Why not?  The pie is big enough for everyone to get a piece.  The goal of communism is equality and at the same time we will be fulfilling the mantra of the manifesto.  Karl Marx will bless us tremendously.  And everyone will be happy.

Firstly, I wasn't aware that communism was still the goal. Now, I am not picking on Jagdeo but this is beyond low to promise the sugar workers that the estates will be reopened just to ensure their votes. Expected since he never told them the estates were losing money and should have been closed but still nasty.

GTAngler
skeldon_man posted:
VishMahabir posted:

Sugar is DEAD....why open the industry????

because the PNC closed the estates down to punish the coolies.

so, did the PPP close down the Demerara estates to “punish the coolies” too . . . huh?

another dribbling 1st class idiot putting on a show

smfh

FM
Last edited by Former Member
ronan posted:
skeldon_man posted:
VishMahabir posted:

Sugar is DEAD....why open the industry????

because the PNC closed the estates down to punish the coolies.

so, did the PPP close down the Demerara estates to “punish the coolies” too . . . huh?

another dribbling 1st class idiot putting on a show

smfh

One of the things I support Jagdeo on.

GTAngler
ronan posted:
Bibi Haniffa posted:

I support any stipend that will help the poor. President Ali’s coffers will be overflowing with gold so why not throw a bone to the underlyings.

actually, that’s NOT what Jagdeo is proposing

that’s more like what Clive Thomas was suggesting . . . did you support Clive then?

Well, I’m not into quid-pro-quo. The govt needs to relook at the various subsidies.  Cheap electricity is not a transition to economic independence and sustainability.

Just like with the sugar workers, President Ali needs to develop a plan to transition the displaced workers to new livelihoods.

Baseman
GTAngler posted:
ronan posted:
skeldon_man posted:
VishMahabir posted:

Sugar is DEAD....why open the industry????

because the PNC closed the estates down to punish the coolies.

so, did the PPP close down the Demerara estates to “punish the coolies” too . . . huh?

another dribbling 1st class idiot putting on a show

smfh

One of the things I support Jagdeo on.

so, why is Rat talking out of his bt now?

FM
Baseman posted:
ronan posted:
Bibi Haniffa posted:

I support any stipend that will help the poor. President Ali’s coffers will be overflowing with gold so why not throw a bone to the underlyings.

actually, that’s NOT what Jagdeo is proposing

that’s more like what Clive Thomas was suggesting . . . did you support Clive then?

Well, I’m not into quid-pro-quo. The govt needs to relook at the various subsidies.  Cheap electricity is not a transition to economic independence and sustainability.

Just like with the sugar workers, President Ali needs to develop a plan to transition the displaced workers to new livelihoods.

This was for Dave and Skeldon Man

Baseman
Bibi Haniffa posted:
Dave posted:
Baseman posted:
ronan posted:

anyone care to comment on the special "stipend"?

THAT, after all, is the topic here

smh

 

They should also offer this to bauxite workers!

You are aware Linden is getting subsidy for electricity....they are leaving their lights on 24/7 and have consume more KWH than paying GT residence. 

Why would you suggest they get more?

Why not?  The pie is big enough for everyone to get a piece.  The goal of communism is equality and at the same time we will be fulfilling the mantra of the manifesto.  Karl Marx will bless us tremendously.  And everyone will be happy.

Why you being sarcastic.  Is BJ a communist?   He will be the real president!

Baseman
ronan posted:
GTAngler posted:
ronan posted:
skeldon_man posted:
VishMahabir posted:

Sugar is DEAD....why open the industry????

because the PNC closed the estates down to punish the coolies.

so, did the PPP close down the Demerara estates to “punish the coolies” too . . . huh?

another dribbling 1st class idiot putting on a show

smfh

One of the things I support Jagdeo on.

so, why is Rat talking out of his bt now?

Same reason he has constantly lied to the sugar workers, he needs their votes.

GTAngler
Bibi Haniffa posted:

I support any stipend that will help the poor. President Ali’s coffers will be overflowing with gold so why not throw a bone to the underlyings.  God will bless him tremendously with a second term in office if he can prove himself.  

And this will keep Anil and Frank out of office for a nice ten years until the PNC take over again.

Absolutely. The rest is bilge......

GTAngler
Baseman posted:
ronan posted:

anyone care to comment on the special "stipend"?

THAT, after all, is the topic here

smh

This is not bad provided it is accompanied with a plan for economic independence and sustainability of the individual.  The Govt should also look into micro soft loans to get those who want to into business.  

They should also offer this to bauxite workers!

You do realize that by saying this Jagdeo has cost the PPP some votes right? People who might have voted PPP instead of APNU will say they're not in power yet and already they're allocating money for the Sugar Workers AND no mention of the bauxite workers. Way to go Great Leader. At this rate Granger doesn't have to worry.

GTAngler
Baseman posted:
Baseman posted:
ronan posted:
Bibi Haniffa posted:

I support any stipend that will help the poor. President Ali’s coffers will be overflowing with gold so why not throw a bone to the underlyings.

actually, that’s NOT what Jagdeo is proposing

that’s more like what Clive Thomas was suggesting . . . did you support Clive then?

Well, I’m not into quid-pro-quo. The govt needs to relook at the various subsidies.  Cheap electricity is not a transition to economic independence and sustainability.

Just like with the sugar workers, President Ali needs to develop a plan to transition the displaced workers to new livelihoods.

This was for Dave and Skeldon Man

Sugar workers provided financial support for bauxite workers. PNC imposed a tax levy on sugar profits that were supposed to be shared by the sugar workers. 

The sugar levy yield tens of millions of US Dollars that was used on Government budget and subsidise to the Bauxite industry.

Collie has suffer tremendously at the hands of PNC BLACK AFRO Government For  BLACK PEOPLE benefit.

FM
skeldon_man posted:
VishMahabir posted:

Sugar is DEAD....why open the industry????

because the PNC closed the estates down to punish the coolies. Do you ever wonder why the US government provide subsidies to the farmers Half Brain?

The PPP sold bauxite to punish black people.  So we have proven tit for tat.

Your point?

FM
caribny posted:
skeldon_man posted:
VishMahabir posted:

Sugar is DEAD....why open the industry????

because the PNC closed the estates down to punish the coolies. Do you ever wonder why the US government provide subsidies to the farmers Half Brain?

The PPP sold bauxite to punish black people.  So we have proven tit for tat.

Your point?

What is the difference between selling and closing?

Billy Ram Balgobin
caribny posted:
skeldon_man posted:
VishMahabir posted:

Sugar is DEAD....why open the industry????

because the PNC closed the estates down to punish the coolies. Do you ever wonder why the US government provide subsidies to the farmers Half Brain?

The PPP sold bauxite to punish black people.  So we have proven tit for tat.

Your point?

Address that with Oleg Deripaska.

FM
Dave posted:
 

Collie has suffer tremendously at the hands of PNC BLACK AFRO Government For  BLACK PEOPLE benefit.

And  black people supported Guysuco by witnessing billions of dollars of subsidies to salvage a company that Jagdeo destroyed.

Your point?   Of course you omit that sugar was highly subsidized during the sugar levy era by EU guaranteed prices and market access, something that does NOT happen today.  And yes bauxite too offered its moments of glory in times past as well.  

Funny thing is that almost all of the people I hear complaining about this Irfaan thing are Indians. Even Bibi still cussing out the PPP for this.   So if I were you I wouldn't assume that every Indian is going to rush out to vote.

FM
Last edited by Former Member
skeldon_man posted:
caribny posted:
skeldon_man posted:
VishMahabir posted:

Sugar is DEAD....why open the industry????

because the PNC closed the estates down to punish the coolies. Do you ever wonder why the US government provide subsidies to the farmers Half Brain?

The PPP sold bauxite to punish black people.  So we have proven tit for tat.

Your point?

Address that with Oleg Deripaska.

No I will address it to Mr. Jagdeo who sold the industry to those people and who made no arrangements to protect the workers.

People wanted to buy Guysuco as well. Did the PPP sell? No because they knew that thousands of PPP supporters would have lost their jobs.

FM
Billy Ram Balgobin posted:
caribny posted:
skeldon_man posted:
VishMahabir posted:

Sugar is DEAD....why open the industry????

because the PNC closed the estates down to punish the coolies. Do you ever wonder why the US government provide subsidies to the farmers Half Brain?

The PPP sold bauxite to punish black people.  So we have proven tit for tat.

Your point?

What is the difference between selling and closing?

Nothing. Thousands lost their jobs in both instances but you dont think that black lives matter so couldn't give a fig at the hardships faced by former bauxite workers.

FM
caribny posted:
skeldon_man posted:
VishMahabir posted:

Sugar is DEAD....why open the industry????

because the PNC closed the estates down to punish the coolies. Do you ever wonder why the US government provide subsidies to the farmers Half Brain?

The PPP sold bauxite to punish black people.  So we have proven tit for tat.

Your point?

BS.. but then you are a racist anyway. 

FM
Dave posted:
caribny posted:
skeldon_man posted:
VishMahabir posted:

Sugar is DEAD....why open the industry????

because the PNC closed the estates down to punish the coolies. Do you ever wonder why the US government provide subsidies to the farmers Half Brain?

The PPP sold bauxite to punish black people.  So we have proven tit for tat.

Your point?

BS.. but then you are a racist anyway. 

Still waiting for you to define my racist behavior. According to you even YOUR kids consider you to be one.

FM

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