A library with an internet ready computer is to be set up at the Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara Community Centre for sugar workers.
According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) release, Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud, in responding to a request made by a worker for the establishment of a library at the Community Centre during a meeting with sugar workers at the location, said that Government is committed to efforts that will bring sugar workers up-to-date with modern technology by making them computer literate as part of the administration’s vision and ongoing investments to modernize, upgrade and sustain the industry.
GINA said that it was agreed that management will make arrangements to set up the library with an internet ready computer for workers to become familiar with the technology. Persaud noted that field workers could visit the centre for several hours in the afternoons after completing their activities and encouraged them to get involved in the system since the computer is very simple to understand and operate.
The release added that the workers were told that this could help them better understand the changes taking place in the sugar industry and the world so they would be more prepared to deal with the issues and events that may arise from such activities.
“It was explained that the new factory at Skeldon and its operations are very modern and include some of the most updated technology. While persons are being trained to operate the machinery and systems at the estate, workers from other areas such as the West Demerara will be exposed to the technology through site visits and tours organised by management”, the release said.
In addition, some of the tractors being acquired by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) to boost cultivation and harvesting activities are managed by computer operations and therefore will require basic skills from workers.
GINA said that Government’s ongoing investment in the sugar industry includes an expenditure of approximately US$200M in the Skeldon Sugar Modernisation Project (SSMP) that entails construction of the modern factory and co-generation plant and expansion of agricultural activities to supply cane for the new factory. It added that additional investments are being made to upgrade the Enmore sugar estate toward establishing a packaging facility as part of efforts to accelerate value-added production in the industry.
“These and other investments are aimed at ensuring the industry is well positioned to overcome the current difficulties such as the drastic price cuts, erratic weather conditions and adjustments to the marketing arrangement with Europe “the release said noting that overall, the aim is to bring the cost of production down from about 18 US cents per pound to 11 US cents per pound thereby enhancing the industry’s competitiveness on the world market.
