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Django

Major protest hits Berbice.

– as redundant sugar workers take to the streets

By Malisa Playter-Harry

January 10,2018

Scores of sugar workers from the Rose Hall estate, their families, opposition members, region five and six officials together with the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), yesterday morning braved heavy rainfall to protest in relation to the payments of severance for workers who received redundancy letters in December.
The march, which commenced just after 7:00 am with heavy police presence, saw protesters brandishing placards as they walked from the Rose Hall Estate to Canje turn and returned to the point of origin. They were prevented by the police from playing music as they marched along but this coupled with the heavy rains did not deter the sugar workers and their families.
Komal Chand, President of GAWU, told the gathering that persons need to “come out and fight”.
“If you got the pension money, why don’t you use it to pay the people the severance pay? You cannot take sugar workers now and want them to be engineers tomorrow and carpenters tomorrow. Where are the jobs?”
Chand added that the previous discussions and announcements that were made about alternative jobs such as aquaculture, citrus farming, beef and dairy cattle etc., are yet to take shape. According to him,

GAWU made several proposals on how to save sugar, “we talk about the Skeldon Co-Gen facility, last year although production was poor, they sell electricity to the national grid and GPL and they get $9.5 Billion. That $9.5 Billion and from sugar sales last year, you didn’t need any money from Government to keep the factory going”.

A scene from the protest at East Berbice yesterday.

In concluding, the GAWU head appealed that the severance must be paid, noting that they are entitled to it.
“The immediate struggle is for you to get your severance pay. The question is…when?”, Chand charged.
The hundreds of workers are worried that they might not receive their severance pay and they might be placed in a predicament of which workers of the Wales Estate are currently facing…hundreds still to be paid severance promised by the government.

GuySuCo’s Skeldon power assets being sold for US$30m

April 2, 2015

https://www.stabroeknews.com/2...eing-sold-for-us30m/

GuySuCo is to sell its co-generation plant and three Wartsila power units at Skeldon to a state-owned company specially created for the purpose at a price of US$30 million.

The company, Skeldon Energy Incorporated (SEI) will be jointly owned by electricity utility, the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) and government holding company, National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL). Cabinet approved the sale as well as the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) between GPL and GuySuCo, officials announced at a press conference at the National Communications Network yesterday. SEI will be managed by Finnish company Wartsila (Guyana) Inc.

Head of NICIL Winston Brassington told reporters that Wartsila assumed management of the energy assets yesterday. According to a press statement issued, SEI will be funded with equity financing of US$5M from NICIL and US$4M from GPL and US$21M in debt financing from GPL and local and international financial institutions. Repayment of the financing will be via the sale of power under the two PPAs to GPL and GuySuCo.

Brassington would not disclose yesterday from which institutions, debt financing would be obtained. He said that “in due course” the additional financiers will be revealed while noting that funding from GPL can be refinanced in the future.

In relation to the US$4M in equity financing from GPL, Brassington said that due to the drop in fuel prices, GPL has the available cash flow. It was also disclosed that on the basis that GPL will purchase most of the power from SEI under a PPA and the plant being operated by Wartsila, Wartsila will provide financing for the rehabilitation of the 10MW plant.

Brassington said that Wartsila will spend US$3M to bring the plant as well as the co-generation plant to optimal capacity and meet Wartsila’s standards. Currently, the three-generator Wartsila plant has an installed capacity of 10 megawatts (MW) while the co-generation plant which uses bagasse to generate power has an installed capacity of 30MW. The NICIL head said that in order to harness the optimal capacity, the transformer capacity would need to be enhanced.

According to the statement, GuySuCo will be paid US$30M for the transfer of the assets and SEI will supply power to the sugar company at the same prices that GPL currently pays GuySuCo today. GuySuCo will also sell to SEI the bagasse for the co-generation plant.

Brassington said that expected benefits of the restructuring of the Skeldon energy assets include the enhancement of the generating capacity of the Skeldon Wartsila and bagasse co-generation plants and providing GPL and GuySuCo with a stable and reliable source of power and relieve GuySuCo of the responsibility to manage the power generation. He also said that it would expand the power generating capacity located at Skeldon as part of the Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System power grid by increasing energy supplied to the grid by 50% by the end of 2016 and almost 100% by 2019.

The Skeldon sugar factory has over the years experienced several difficulties in optimizing electricity supplies.

The NICIL chief said that the US$30M of capital resources now available to GuySuCo was another benefit. He downplayed the public perception that GuySuCo was once again receiving special treatment from the government which has been seeking to transfer funds to the cash-strapped, state-owned sugar company in the absence of the National Assembly.

“We need to look at this as a win-win situation. Indeed, on the one hand GuySuCo is getting monies but looking at it from the power perspective and I believe this is the perspective that is very important for GPL, this move is strategic, it is vital to ensure that our power capacity in Berbice is rehabilitated and expanded and Wartsila had been studying the operations for two years,” Brassington declared.

He said that GuySuCo would benefit and Wartsila’s expertise would address the risks while securing stable power generation over the medium term.

He highlighted that should the transmission line go down between Demerara and Berbice, currently only Skeldon has the generating capacity to provide power. He acknowledged that bagasse availability is seasonal but said that the enhancing of the three Wartsila generators would alleviate the pressure on the co-generation plant.

Chief Executive Officer of GuySuCo Raj Singh said that the company is expecting over 275,000 tonnes of bagasse to be produced at Skeldon in 2015. He added that the other sugar estates could send bagasse to Skeldon to operate the plant.

When questioned by Stabroek News as to how GuySuCo plans on sourcing the necessary amount of bagasse, Singh stated that currently, canes on the ground at Skeldon amount to over 650,000 tonnes. He added that private cane farmers are continuously being engaged as it relates to cane production.

The Upper Corentyne Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UCCCI) was perturbed at GuySuCo after private cane farmers expressed frustration last year prior to the commencement of the second crop and asked for drastic reforms. The UCCCI said that there is land for expansion but private cane farming is not seen as feasible because of the problems preventing the Skeldon factory from grinding anywhere near the promised 350 tonnes of cane per hour.

Singh yesterday did not respond to questions on whether the creation of a special interest company to purchase the Skeldon energy assets was an informal bailout of GuySuCo. Reporters were told that another press conference would be held to discuss the breakdown of the US$30M. Singh did note that the money would be going to pay debts and creditors.

The statement, meantime, said that SEI expects the Wartsila plant to be generating at the full 10MW capacity by next year and the co-generation bagasse plants at full 30MW capacity over the medium term.

Replies sorted oldest to newest

Former Member

Are you asking the question or is the article asking the question?

So, is he lying?

1/10/189:00 AM

DjangoAdmin

Riff posted:
Are you asking the question or is the article asking the question?
So, is he lying?

From what i gathered he is lying,the plant was sold.

What do you say ?

Also the question is opened to other posters.

1/10/189:07 AM

Former Member

I don't know enough to give an opinion

1/10/189:17 AM

DjangoAdmin

Riff posted:
I don't know enough to give an opinion

ok boss.

here is some info who owns the Electricity Generating Plant.

http://www.skeldonenergyinc.com/our-history/

1/10/189:24 AM

kpHonorary Member

Where did Komal Chand lied?

1/10/1810:34 AM

NehruBig Mouth Member

kp posted:
Where did Komal Chand lied?

You like ask haad haad question to the uneducated nah??

1/10/1810:36 AM

kpHonorary Member

The article heading "Major protest hits Berbice" Django's misleading heading"Is Komal Chand GAWU President lying to sugar workers". he could not come up with this on his own,this came from the PNC Congress Place in Georgetown. It's a new year ,use your right judgement, do the correct thing, you will have to live with what you say.

1/10/1810:52 AM

PointblankSenior Member

Komal worried about Union dues not the workers

1/10/1811:27 AM

PointblankSenior Member

GuySuCo’s ‘right-sizing’… Unions were raking in $30M-plus monthly from workers

Jan 09, 2018 News 0 Comments

GAWU’s leader, Komal Chan

The current restructuring of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) is continuing to rock especially the satellite communities that the affected estates surround.
Shops, suppliers, contractors and even taxis and short-drop cars were among those affected, in addition to almost 4,000 workers that were let loose at the end of last year.
So, too, would vendors who would have been plying their trade with snacks and even greens stands that were operating in front the factories.
This is especially so in the case of Wales estate, West Bank Demerara.
The four estates closed over the last 13 months were Skeldon and Rose Hall, in East Berbice; Enmore on the East Demerara, and Wales, West Bank Demerara.
It would amount to the biggest retrenchment of sugar workers in decades.
The administration, acting on recommendations of GuySuCo and the reports of an inquiry and ‘White Paper’ on the future of the industry, decided to close what was described as the least performing estates.
It was disclosed that GuySuCo collected over $32B in the last three years in bailouts but was unable to show signs of a turnaround. Production fell to one of the lowest in years, in 2017.
There are also other affected stakeholders too.
According to information, unions of the sugar workers would be taking a major dent in their revenues.
In fact, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) was reportedly receiving more than $29M monthly or over $300M annually. GAWU is the largest sugar union.
GuySuCo, up to the closures, were boasting more than 16,000 workers- the largest single employer in Guyana.
The other union is the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE), which represents mainly middle management and office staffers.
From information, they received around $3M monthly in workers’ union dues.
The unions have been fighting tooth and nail against the closures and planned divestments and privatisations.
It is unclear how GAWU has been investing its monies but what is known is that GuySuCo has stated its intentions to reduce that 16,000-plus workforce to about 10,000.
That means, under such a scenario, the union is facing a loss of about $10M monthly.
The unions were being blamed by the previous Donald Ramotar administration of not doing much to increase the fortunes of GuySuCo.
In fact, the sugar unions were asked on several occasions to sit on the board of GuySuCo, an appeal that did not find favour.
However, GuySuCo has been accusing the unions of spearheading a significant number of strikes and other industrial actions which has not been helping the GuySuCo situation.
GAWU’s leaders have been closely linked to the former administration, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).
In fact, GAWU’s leader, Komal Chand, is an executive of the party, whose support were built on sugar workers.

1/10/1811:35 AM

ZedSenior Member

Pointblank posted:
Komal worried about Union dues not the workers

This is a coalition narrative that you are parroting! Regardless of the motivation the coalition and you attribute to him and have been trying to peddle, the possible beneficiaries of his actions and protests are the sugar workers and their families.

You might want to see the workers union dues as an investment just like the coalition members who argued that the monetary receipt from political donors is an investment which will garner financial returns. Look how good an investment Lawrence Singh (Bunkie) made so that he is receiving astronomical amount of financial returns in the form of rent for the drug bond. How about Ansa Macal investment iof the arch over the east coast highway in return for a large drug supply contract?

1/10/1812:21 PM

DjangoAdmin

kp posted:
Where did Komal Chand lied?

Who owns the Co-Generating Plant at Skeldon Estate ?

1/10/1812:44 PM

DjangoAdmin

Nehru posted:
kp posted:
Where did Komal Chand lied?
You like ask haad haad question to the uneducated nah??

You have taken the liberty to demean,does that make you smart ?

1/10/1812:47 PM

PointblankSenior Member

Zed posted:
Pointblank posted:
Komal worried about Union dues not the workers
This is a coalition narrative that you are parroting! Regardless of the motivation the coalition and you attribute to him and have been trying to peddle, the possible beneficiaries of his actions and protests are the sugar workers and their families.
You might want to see the workers union dues as an investment just like the coalition members who argued that the monetary receipt from political donors is an investment which will garner financial returns. Look how good an investment Lawrence Singh (Bunkie) made so that he is receiving astronomical amount of financial returns in the form of rent for the drug bond. How about Ansa Macal investment iof the arch over the east coast highway in return for a large drug supply contract?

Wher was Komal Chand when the PPP was shutting down sugar estates. Ask anyone in Berbice and they will tell you that the old factory at Skeldon was producing more than the godeee bharat give them.

1/10/1812:48 PM

ZedSenior Member

As far as I know. Diamond was the only estate closed by the PPP government. This was opposed by GAWU and there were demonstrations also overvseverance pay.

1/10/185:10 PM

Former Member

Zed posted:
As far as I know. Diamond was the only estate closed by the PPP government. This was opposed by GAWU and there were demonstrations also overvseverance pay.

You are correct Zed.

1/11/188:42 AM

Former Member

Zed posted:
Pointblank posted:
Komal worried about Union dues not the workers
This is a coalition narrative that you are parroting! Regardless of the motivation the coalition and you attribute to him and have been trying to peddle, the possible beneficiaries of his actions and protests are the sugar workers and their families.
You might want to see the workers union dues as an investment just like the coalition members who argued that the monetary receipt from political donors is an investment which will garner financial returns. Look how good an investment Lawrence Singh (Bunkie) made so that he is receiving astronomical amount of financial returns in the form of rent for the drug bond. How about Ansa Macal investment iof the arch over the east coast highway in return for a large drug supply contract?

Where was all of this crying from all of these PPP frauds when decades ago 80% of the bauxite workers of Linden and Kwakwani lost their jobs.

The PPP set the precedent for this!

1/11/181:16 PM

NehruBig Mouth Member

FOOL, the Sugar Workers are entitled to Severance, THEY ARE NOT BEGGING FOR CIGARETTE BUTTS ON MONDAY MORNINGS!!!!!!!!!!

1/11/181:24 PM

kpHonorary Member

caribny posted:
Zed posted:
Pointblank posted:
Komal worried about Union dues not the workers
This is a coalition narrative that you are parroting! Regardless of the motivation the coalition and you attribute to him and have been trying to peddle, the possible beneficiaries of his actions and protests are the sugar workers and their families.
You might want to see the workers union dues as an investment just like the coalition members who argued that the monetary receipt from political donors is an investment which will garner financial returns. Look how good an investment Lawrence Singh (Bunkie) made so that he is receiving astronomical amount of financial returns in the form of rent for the drug bond. How about Ansa Macal investment iof the arch over the east coast highway in return for a large drug supply contract?
Where was all of this crying from all of these PPP frauds when decades ago 80% of the bauxite workers of Linden and Kwakwani lost their jobs.
The PPP set the precedent for this!

Looks like the bauxite workers stick in your craw, they all left and went to the USA.

1/11/181:31 PM

Former Member

caribny posted:
Zed posted:
Pointblank posted:
Komal worried about Union dues not the workers
This is a coalition narrative that you are parroting! Regardless of the motivation the coalition and you attribute to him and have been trying to peddle, the possible beneficiaries of his actions and protests are the sugar workers and their families.
You might want to see the workers union dues as an investment just like the coalition members who argued that the monetary receipt from political donors is an investment which will garner financial returns. Look how good an investment Lawrence Singh (Bunkie) made so that he is receiving astronomical amount of financial returns in the form of rent for the drug bond. How about Ansa Macal investment iof the arch over the east coast highway in return for a large drug supply contract?
Where was all of this crying from all of these PPP frauds when decades ago 80% of the bauxite workers of Linden and Kwakwani lost their jobs.
The PPP set the precedent for this!

Corruption is done by both Indians and Blackman ... don’t portray black people and PNC as saints .

Corrupt Indians put the $ to good use .

Corrupt Blacks spend wastefully and have dozens of child mother to feed , as a result they have nothing to show .

so gawn so !!! and teach blacks how to be financially responsible and be responsible father

1/11/181:58 PM

NehruBig Mouth Member

OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!0;):0;

1/11/182:08 PM

Former Member

kp posted:

Looks like the bauxite workers stick in your craw, they all left and went to the USA.

Yes in your eyes they are "black man" so unimportant. Well if they are unimportant then so are sugar workers. They both were sadly connected to mismanaged and money losing entities.

Tossing one out to their own devices which is how the PPP treated bauxite workers set the precedent for the PNC to do the same to sugar workers. That you don't see this merely betrays your racist nature as you deny the humanity of Afro Guyanese.

1/12/186:46 PM

Former Member

Dave posted:

Corruption is done by both Indians and Blackman ... don’t portray black people and PNC as saints .

80% of the bauxite workers were tossed out with no consideration for their livelihood by Jagdeo. So how come that was OK and yet you cry when the PNC behaves likewise?

You didn't care about bauxite workers so why should sugar workers be treated better.

What that had to do with whether blacks are more or less corrupt than Indians is irrelevant.

1/12/186:49 PM

Former Member

Dave posted:

Corruption is done by both Indians and Blackman ... don’t portray black people and PNC as saints .
Corrupt Indians put the $ to good use .
Corrupt Blacks spend wastefully and have dozens of child mother to feed , as a result they have nothing to show .
so gawn so !!! and teach blacks how to be financially responsible and be responsible father

Of course the Indo KKK at work!

1/12/186:50 PM

kpHonorary Member

caribny posted:
Dave posted:

Corruption is done by both Indians and Blackman ... don’t portray black people and PNC as saints .
Corrupt Indians put the $ to good use .
Corrupt Blacks spend wastefully and have dozens of child mother to feed , as a result they have nothing to show .
so gawn so !!! and teach blacks how to be financially responsible and be responsible father
Of course the Indo KKK at work!

Face up to the truth. Black KKK.

1/12/186:58 PM

Former Member

kp posted:

Face up to the truth. Black KKK.

The sign of a racist is when he maligns an entire implying that they are inferior to another. You just did so. You cannot find any evidence where I do that to Indians.

You sir are the racist here but your racism is so entrenched that you don't even see it.

1/12/187:01 PM

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Topics

Major protest hits Berbice.

GuySuCo’s Skeldon power assets being sold for US$30m

April 2, 2015

GuySuCo’s ‘right-sizing’… Unions were raking in $30M-plus monthly from workers

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