Dear Editor,
I just listened to an extended press conference by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, on a wide ranging list of topics, which convinced me, once again, of his knowledge, awareness and astuteness in the area of Climate Change and issues related thereto. However, it’s the final question of the few that were asked, that prompted this letter. The question concerned the management of GuySuCo, specifically the CEO, which I am of the view was as a result of a letter in Stabroek News of the 31st.October, and the “attempted” res-ponse, under the pen of the CEO, in the same paper on the 1st November. Unfor-tunately, and I hope I’m wrong, I got the impression that the Government’s intention is to eventually privatise GuySuCo, and wondered if this is the intention, why allow it to be further destroyed?
The first letter writer, clearly an employee of the Corporation, and who was most likely at the meeting referred to, was wise enough to use a name other than his or her own, for obvious reasons. The surprising ‘follow up’, by no less a person than the CEO, (isn’t there a PRO for purposes like this?) which glaringly failed to address the pertinent issues raised in the first salvo, was presumably done as a result of being asked to respond either by someone in the political hierarchy of the Administration OR by the Board of Directors, so damning were the accusations against the CEO. I’ve been hearing whispers about the modus operandi of the CEO for months, and have been giving him the benefit of the doubt, but persistent complaints by persons employed there have caused me to rely on the saying, “where there’s smoke, there’s fire”. Apart from a letter here and there, and resignations now and again, issues involving purchases, inexperience, inefficiencies and ‘strange’ procurement and other practices, have caused me to give GuySuCo a little bit of attention.
I’ve been accustomed to reading of the CEO heaping praises on His Excellency the President, the Vice President and on a few occasions the Minister, in some cases, totally irrelevant and unnecessary, that convinced me that he was ‘playing to his audience’ (sucking up). Need I say any more about blatant opportunism, about which the PPP constantly used to warn its membership? It amazed me that someone who was until relatively recently, cussing down the PPP/C Administration in general and the Vice President in particular, could, by just imposing himself in the last elections campaign, be so richly rewarded, and richly, indeed.
Alas, and possibly after the fortunes of GuySuCo haven’t improved as was intended, rumors of mismanagement prevailed, excuses being fabricated for his failures (and there have been many), he has noticeably relaxed on his praises of his political bosses. I wonder if it is as a result of him, who I understand can NEVER be wrong, being called upon to explain inefficiencies? I also am left at a loss as to how explanations could have been accepted, by the Board of Directors, for the number of persons (senior staff included) removed / dismissed / resigned, etc. Or is that not their concern? It affects me, after so much has been said about recovering the losses endured by GuySuCo under the APNU/AFC Alliance, that the Govern-ment could have seen it fit to appoint someone who has been attacking it publicly on behalf of the APNU/AFC, as a supporter (if not a member) of the latter. Not that people can’t ‘change’. Indeed, some do with good intentions, and then again, others do with ONLY self interest in their minds.
I’ve heard unanswered (as far as I am aware) public allegations about an incident involving the CEO when he was employed at the National Flour Milling Company, that gave him the nick name ‘FLOUR BAG’, even by those in the PPP. There is a rumour that a large scale rice producer has been or is being considered for marketing GuySuCo’s sugar. Would we now have a ‘RICE BAG’? And next, a ‘SUGAR BAG’? Leaving ONLY a ‘PLASTIC BAG’ to end with? I have read the CEO’s response, so can I ask if ALL the procurement by GuySuCo, since his appointment, have been in accordance with the Rules of procurement? Can I ask if it is accurate that a meeting was held (as referred to in the letter of 31st. October and a participant instructed to leave, and the reason for him/her being so instructed? For the public’s information, can I ask if the CEO can tell us how many persons, mainly those regarded as senior staff, have resigned, removed, contracts not renewed and/or dismissed, under his tenure as CEO, and the reasons for such actions?
Surely, if public funds are being utilised to maintain GuySuCo, it has a right to know how the Corporation is being (mis)managed. To the government, I implore that closer attention be given to GuySuCo as this can be a determining factor in being re-elected, with a majority. PLEASE DON’T allow ‘de boat to go a falls’. Can we bring it back? YES, WE CAN!
Sincerely,
Name and Address Provided
