Dear Editor,
The more observant cannot help but applaud the Vice President’s decades–long commitment to developing Region 6 as the most critical economic hub of Guyana, were it not for the more recent intervention of the Oil & Gas industry in the more relevant parts of the country.
During his own stint as President the administration set about the diminution of the Demerara operations of the sugar industry. There was the attempt to close Wales Estate, which was pre-empted by Channel 6 TV Sharma’s relentless media campaign. Later there was the closure of Diamond Estate Factory complemented by the transfer of that estate’s workers to LBI Estate. The latter, under pressure from GAWU, were some time after paid severance while remaining in employment.
Later, the industry’s newest constructed factory (LBI) was closed and its agricultural operations were merged with those of Enmore, the integrated organisation structure was renamed East Demerara Estate, whose productivity did not live up to expectations and was consequently closed by the Granger Administration (as if in consonance with his predecessor’s earlier intentions). For the latter had previously attempted to actualise his dream of a Berbice (Region 6) sugar industry only, with construction of a factory the production of which would have more than compensated for the production lost in Demerara. As will be recalled, most regretfully, the technology proved to be an unmanageable failure instigating the President’s public declaration to manage the factory himself.
Now, some years later, he has grasped the opportunity to pay penance for the disappointment created in that community – in the form of grants and jobs of varied (unskilled) requirements – to be redressed by unspecified trainers. Unexpectedly some Region 10 citizens have enquired about their eligibility for promotion to Region 6.What optimism!
Elijah Bijay
