Dear Editor,
As a former Chairman of GuySuCo, during the period 1993 to 2003, I am often asked the question: “Why has Wales been chosen as the site for Gas to Shore projects?” The straightforward answer, in my opinion, is that the lands are Government owned and there are no plans to reopen the sugar estate. There is an interesting bit of history, however, that is associated with the closure of Wales Estate, which I think should be known. In 1995, when I was Chairman, a senior member of GuySuCo’s Finance Department submitted a draft Board paper to be tabled for Board discussion. To my consternation, this was a proposal to close Wales, East Demerara and Rose Hall Estates. This proposal was immediately rejected. Interestingly though, I subsequently received a call from then President Jagan about the contents of the same paper which had been taken to him by a close relative of the very GuySuCo Manager. Not surprisingly, President Jagan was supportive of my decision, since our mandate was to rebuild and grow, not close the industry and the matter was put to rest.
Fast forward to 2015 when the very former finance executive was appointed GuySuCo’s CEO by the Coalition Government. He was now in a strong position with an incapacitated Chairman and a Minister who knew very little of the industry, so he tested the former proposal by first promoting the closure of Wales Estate, despite clear evidence that Uitvlugt was the worst performing estate. It was highlighted at the time at public forums that in and around Wales there was a vibrant community which had a Market, Police Station, Magistrate’s Court, Primary and Secondary Schools and a Community Center. This estate had 50% cane farmers and was the only estate that was gravity drained, so no drainage pumps were required. The estate had all the economies of scale, a stable work force and the natural endowment required for an efficient and effective sugar estate. The factory, however, was not only closed, it was deliberately cannibalized to such an extent that there was nothing left to restart.
The end result was that the community was devastated and economically depressed and is still in this state, as what happens when you are situated at the end of the road. It is noteworthy that neither the then Minister nor the then President visited the community after the closure. There was no concern shown for the great harm that was brought upon the lives of thousands in the community who worked and depended on the Estate. The CEO subsequently persevered for the closure of the East Demerara and Rose Hall Estates, which subsequently materialized, so the mission was accomplished, albeit some 20 years later. The interesting question is: what would have been the result if Uitvlugt Estate had been closed instead of Wales? It is arguable that the economic disruption would have been much less, with a vibrant area from Vreed-en-Hoop to the Essequibo River being available to absorb the displaced work force. More importantly, the Uitvlugt/Leonora lands would have been far more easily accessed as a site for the Gas to Shore project with a much shorter on-shore pipeline required and minimal disruption of the population and its agricultural activities. It’s all speculation, of course, but what if??
Sincerely,
Vickram Oditt
