Process to revive closed sugar estates has begun – President Ali tells East Canje

President Irfaan Ali yesterday told East Canje, Berbice  residents that the process to restart operations at sugar estates which were closed by the previous government has already begun except for the Wales Estate where the factory was dismantled.

The President said that the government is presently speaking with GuySuCo’s management to gain a clear understanding of what level of investment is required. “But the commitment is that these estates will be brought back into operation”, he asserted. The restart of the estates had been a PPP/C manifesto promise.  The estates in question are Skeldon, Rose Hall and East Demerara.  The Skeldon  estate and factory had been a  major drain on the corporation’s finances, pushing up the cost of sugar production astronomically. It is unclear how its problems will be easily remedied to enable a restart of operations.

Ali said in terms of the Wales Estate, his government is looking at a Wales Development Authority so as to still be able to create some sort of employment for persons within that area.