Enmore Packaging Plant working to expectation - Minister Ramsammy
Georgetown, GINA, October 5, 2012 -- Source - GINA
Amidst criticism from sections of the media and the political opposition on the Enmore Packaging Plant being a white elephant, Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy accompanied by Estate Manager, Yudhisthir Persaud today paid a visit to the plant and inspected the new dumper which is under construction and, the packaging of sugar.
The dumper which is expected to become operational for the next crop (March), is a mechanical approach to transporting canes into the grinder, to be processed into sugar.
Dr. Ramsammy speaking to the media stated that despite challenges faced in the past, the plant is working to expectation and producing bulk and packaged sugar to supply its contractual obligation.
Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy in discussion with factory operators during the visit to the Enmore Packaging Plant
He pointed out that like any new plant there is a defects liability period, which is used to rectify any problems which may arise. The factory which is designed to manufacture 40,000 tonnes annually is producing as expected.
“There is room for expansion later…however, our main contractual obligation is bulk sugar and the excess sugar is sent to be packaged,” he said.
Underscoring the importance of the industry, Minister Ramsammy stated that thus far, the Enmore sugar plant with the production of the Blairmont Estate have been meeting Guyana’s contractual obligation.
Sugar cane being loaded into the punt to be transported to the grinder
While bulk sugar is being exported, the packaged sugar is used to supply the CARICOM and local markets.
The Demerara Brown which is a new line of sugar produced is at present supplying the market demand in Trinidad and Tobago, while a new product is set to be launched in Guyana shortly.
During the first crop, according to Dr. Ramsammy, the packaging plant produced in excess of 3000 tonnes of sugar. As of today, the plant produced a total of 10,000 tonnes.
Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy interacts with a packaging worker
“This production is in fact far from being a white elephant as what is portrayed in the media, when it has in fact produced a lot…on the issue of Demerara Brown, the Trinidad market has responded well to the product thus far,” Minister Ramsammy said.
At present, there is a high demand for bulk and packaged sugar, and the Government has a contractual obligation of 200,000 tonnes to which the Enmore plant has been a significant contributor.
Minister Ramsammy stated that currently, the plant which was commissioned in May 2011 is working to reduce cost of production and expand mechanisation to improve efficiency.
Research has shown that a new factory takes 5-7 years to reach its full potential, and according to Dr. Ramsammy while the Enmore Plant has not taken that long, assured the public the factory is working to expectation.
Packaged sugar ready for export
However, labour shortage at the various estates remains a challenge for the Sugar Corporation, even as Government moves to further introduce mechanisation, which has been deemed productive. Thus far, the plant’s operation is 62 percent mechanized.
While Guyana’s sugar industry has been a major player, irregular weather pattern and industrial actions were some of the constraints that hindered the industry’s performance. However, this is slowly changing as positive results were recorded due to the industry’s ‘Turn around Plan’ which enabled the corporation to cut cost by $2B.
The visit by the Agriculture Minister and team is part of Agriculture Month 2012 activities being held under the theme, “Better Technologies, Better Farming- Ensuring Food Security.”