GuySuCo uncovers massive fertilizer, chemical racket, several fired more to be axed
In a sweeping move to tackle a massive fraudulent scheme involving chemicals, the state-owned Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) has fired six senior staffers in Berbice. More than 20 workers at the Demerara estates, including seniors, are also set to be sent home, in a separate incident, after a significant quantity of fertilizer was found dumped in canefields around the Ogle area. The cost of the chemicals and fertilizers are believed to be in the tens of millions with GuySuCo now placing the matter in the hands of the police. According to industry officials, in the case of Skeldon estate, Berbice, GuySuCo received reports over three weeks ago that a significant quantity of chemicals, to help control weeds, had not been applied. Several staffers, among them a field manager, was questioned. Six of the staffers, including a manager were dismissed after the Corporation remained unimpressed with explanations over the whereabouts of the chemicals. The chemicals were suspected to have been sold to private cane farmers In the case of the Demerara estates, GuySuCo’s Management received reports of the fertilizers not being applied. According to the industry sources, a team ventured into the canefields between LBI and Ogle and found the fertilizers stashed. It was later confirmed that the planned application of the fertilizers was never carried out. Kaieteur News understands that GuySuCo is in the process of preparing letters to staffers that will lead to disciplinary hearings with over 20 staffers likely to be axed. In the case of the Skeldon firings, the affected staffers have reportedly appealed the actions taken by GuySuCo. The sugar corporation has been under increasing pressure to reverse a string of poor production in recent years. Government has announced plans to name a new Board and Chairman shortly. Former Chairman, Dr. Raj Singh, was appointed the new Chief Executive Officer earlier this year with the Corporation appearing before Parliamentary committees recently to speak on its plans to revive an industry which at one time was the biggest foreign currency earner for the country.