GuySuCo honours 95 employees for long service
-people-centred approach to gov’t will see 5,000 rehired
-Minister Mustapha
Ninety-five employees of the Guyana Sugar Corporation Incorporated (GuySuCo) were honoured for contributing 40 and more years of their lives to the sugar industry. The award ceremony was held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Tuesday.
Employees from the Albion, Blairmont and Uitvlugt Estates and the Head Office were honoured.
Ms. Bonita Bristol, an employee of 42 years, was among those honoured. Speaking with the DPI, Ms. Bristol said she started as a nurse-aide at the Blairmont Estate and following a short stint there, she became a Clerk, serving at Wales, La Bonne Intention and Enmore Estates.
Ms. Bonita Bristol
Today, Ms. Bristol serves as the Finance Manager attached to the Enmore Estate.
“I feel very much honoured. I did not think when I started; I would have been with the industry for 40 years… It has been quite a rewarding experience, and I would not trade working at GuySuCo for any other company. It has been truly remarkable and truly a wonderful experience.”
Mr. Mohamed Yusoof, who was also honoured for his 41 years of service, said he started as a cane harvester in 1980 and moved up the ranks. He now serves as a pump attendant in harvesting department at Blairmont Estate. Mr. Yusoof said he enjoys what he does and has made a comfortable life working for GuySuCo.
Mr. Mohamed Yusoof
“I earn a lot from GuySuCo. Everything that I have, I earned from GuySuCo. A land, a home, I send my children to school and I take care of my family,” Mr. Yusoof said.
Offering a few words of wisdom, Mr. Yusoof said he believes he has thrived at GuySuCo because he was respectful and reliable. “Always try to respect your boss and that is what I did for 41 years. I do not have a bad record at GuySuCo. I always show respect to my boss and every time I am called to duty, I make myself available.”
Meanwhile, in his feature address, Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha assured the awardees that the Government is committed to reviving the sugar industry.
“I want to reiterate from the Government’s perspective that sugar is here to stay and we will see the resuscitation of GuySuCo… We will revitalise GuySuCo; we will revitalise the community and we will ensure that GuySuCo, once again, prospers.”
The Minister said the PPP Government would work to ensure its manifesto promise to reopen the sugar estates becomes a reality. He reminded them that steps are ongoing to reopen the Skeldon, Rose Hall and Enmore estates.
“We will see shortly, over 5,000 persons will be rehired to run those estates we are reopening. The rehiring process has already started, and we are happy to be able to provide jobs for Guyanese. So far, more than 750 new jobs have been created in 2020, with plans to employ approximately 3,000 in 2021.”
The Government is also committed to re-energising the local economy in the sugar communities by utilising a people-centred approach to development.
“You are our most valuable asset. It is you who keep our estates functional and productive. It is you who keep our machines in optimum condition. It is you who manage all processes, whether you are a factory manager, electrical engineer, drainage pump operator, or cane harvester. You are all very integral to the production of sugar and the manufacturing chain. You will be the ones to restore this industry to its glory days,” Minister Mustapha said.
In 2021, he said, the Government will continue to look into product diversification to tap into the CARICOM Market for white sugar. This will increase cash-flow and create jobs.
GuySuCo last held an award ceremony honouring employees in 2014.