The state of the sugar industry came into sharp focus in the National Assembly again this morning as Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha and Opposition Member of Parliament, Vinceroy Jordan squared off over the collapse and management of the sugar industry with Mustapha declaring that the failure of the industry started under the previous APNU+AFC government, despite sugar production being on the downward spiral since around 2006 when the PPP was in office.

During the budget debates, Mr. Mustapha laid the blame for the poor performing GuySuCo at the feet of the former APNU+AFC administration, which left office in 2020.

“Mr. Speaker, the sugar industry started to collapse under the APNU+AFC, they discriminated and took out spite against the sugar workers and they wanted to punish the sugar workers of this country,” Mustapha said.

The Agriculture Minister believes the sugar industry will be saved. He said the closure of the sugar estates by the former government was discriminatory and he assured that sugar workers will continue to benefit once the PPPC is in government.

“Mr. Speaker the reason they closed the estates was because of political reasons, they have a problem with sugar workers in this country, they think that sugar workers are supporting the PPPC and they want to punish them, but I want them to know that as long as the PPPC is in government every single worker including sugar workers will benefit, and we will continue to do that we don’t have any explanation to give” Mustapha said today.

But with the PPP back in office, sugar production is still low. GuySuCo recorded its worst sugar production ever last year and Mr. Mustapha said it was due to poor performance.

He said he is optimistic that the 110 metric tonne target set by GuySuCo this year will be reached.

For his part, Opposition MP Vinceroy Jordan said the sugar industry problems are the result of poor decision making by the PPP government.

He said the 2025 sugar production target set by government is unrealistic and a clear plan to create a false impression, knowing that it will continue to decline.

“Mr. Speaker, this is not rocket science. Guysuco, under the PPP/C Government from 2020 to 2024, has failed to meet every target set by the sugar corporation even when they significantly revised and reduced those targets. So, Mr. Speaker, this 115% increase in the target of 101 metric tons announced by the Minister for 2025 must be an election gimmick, but sadly, Sir, not many Guyanese are prepared to buy this one,” Jordan stated.

Jordan said the Government continues to boast of having a turnaround plan, yet four years later and billions spent on bringing in experts, the industry is showing no signs of a turnaround.

He said while the issue is a management one, it goes deeper. He recalled that management has been blamed for GuySuCo’s failure since 2008 and is still being blamed today.

“Mr. Speaker, let me again make it clear no heads will roll this is the usual rail and rant, and then no action. Sir, the only heads that must roll at this time are those of the incompetent PPP/C government starting first with the incompetent Hon. Zulificar Mustapha after over 40 billion dollars failed to produce one target in 5 years, failed to turn around the industry, failed to reopen the Skeldon and Demerara LBI estates as they promised, failed to return Guysuco to profitability according to the PPP manifesto,’ Jordan said.

The sugar industry has been on decline for several years. Billions have been pumped into the industry over the past few years, even as production continues to fall.

Related posts:

Government projects 115% growth in production for sugar industry this year Agriculture Minister ordered to present President with report on the state of GuySuCo and the sugar industry Government and Opposition clash over additional $4 Billion in funding for GuySuco; Company’s annual wage bill totals $12 Billion Mustapha and Jordan clash over GuySuCo and ongoing investments in sugar industry