Dear Editor,
GuySuCo is pleased to respond to Andrew Singh’s letter which was published in Thursday, 16th February, 2023 edition of your papers titled “It is widely felt that the Minister of Agriculture was misled on the Rose Hall estate” Firstly, the Corporation wishes to thank the writer for his letter, but reassures all Guyanese that the Government of Guyana and the leadership of GuySuCo are working in partnership on the reopening of the Rose Hall Estate, as stated by Minister Zulifkar Mustapha during his 2023 Budget Presentation. The Corporation therefore takes this opportunity to outline some of the steps taken thus far as GuySuCo moves closer to the reopening of the Rose Hall Estate.
As at 16th February 2023, the Management of the Rose Hall Estate is happy to report that 73% of the Factory has been completed and testing of equipment is an ongoing feature with an integrated test scheduled to commence July of this year. The conduct of work utilizing subject area expert is a normal intervention moreso for equipment such as turbines which were left without any decommissioning. The presence of experts and OEM personnel on site to conduct maintenance work is a demonstration of the commitment of the GuySuCo staff to achieve the mandate of the stakeholders. GuySuCo wishes to assure Mr. Singh that such intervention is necessary to ensure the highest level of workmanship and Occupational Safety Standards.
A summary of the major works, civil and structural, completed in the factory to date include rehabilitation of the Cane Gantry, Pre Milling, Milling, Boiler and Process House Roofing, replacement of #4 vacuum pan, condensors’ structures, #2 chimney and servicing of all equipment. A summary of the completed works are as follows: The Pre Milling and Milling section are 90% completed, works on the Boilers 60% complete, the Processing House 70% completed, power generation 75% completed, pumps are currently being
serviced and more that 80% of the electrical works completed. Other spares for the pre-milling, including carrier slats, will be delivered by the overseas supplier by the end of Feb 2023. These accomplishments are in keeping with the affirmation given by the minister that Rose Hall will be reopened in second crop 2023.
Further, recruitment of field and factory workers commenced since early 2021 and this employment drive will continue throughout this year with the objective to hire all of its employees from the Canje and adjoining communities.
The Estate is pleased to report that the fields are planted; canes are maturing favourably and will be ready for harvesting for the second crop 2023. In addition, the Rose Hall Estate Manager has met with staff and workers of various departments, since taking office, during which plans and strategies were outlined. It is important to note that employees’ engagement is an ongoing process and involved teams from Head Office as well.
Both the Government of Guyana and the Guyana Sugar Corporation are pleased with the pace at which the rehabilitation exercise is progressing at the Rose Hall Estate and takes this opportunity to appeal to all Guyanese to appreciate that the task of reopening Rose Hall Estate, while enormous, will be achieved.
Sincerely,
V. Gobardhan
Estate Manager