The Role Of The PPP Propaganda Machine Is to

Bringing Guyana Into the 21st Century

Further concerns about NICIL stemmed from it being used as a vehicle to transfer public/state assets to the PPP’s elite business alliances.5 The organization needs to redirect its efforts to its original purpose of winding up the operations of government in the economy’s productive sectors by speedily executing the privation of all such companies under its administration. Additionally, funds from the National Insurance Scheme also found their way into financing the construction of the Berbice Bridge6 , while another five billion dollars were squirreled out of the country through CLICO7 . It has been observed that the NIS may have to be bailed out by the Consolidated Fund, having become the victim of collateral damage from the poorly thought out financing arrangement for the Bridge.8 Indeed, there seemed no act involving misappropriation of taxpayers’ money which could not be executed by the PPP administration under the able advice of the former Chairman of NICIL.

In retrospect, notwithstanding the EU’s decision to proceed with a reduction in prices paid to sugar producers from the ACP countries of which Guyana was a member, the successive administrations of the PPP could be considered the architects of the destruction of GUYSUCO and the dissemination of its sugar workers and their families. Guyana’s management team at the time, apparently becoming experts on the sugar industry over the years, had found fault with the corporation’s expatriate managers and released them from their contract. The EU’s decision in 20069 cast a long shadow over the long term well-being of the industry, and the fate of the controversial US$200 million Skeldon sugar factory10 which was

5 Kaieteur News - NICIL transfers public property to PM, Queens Atlantic, 28 others; Jan 23, 2011; Kaieteur News - NICIL pussyfooting on retrieving lands gifted to China Railway; Mar 01, 2017; 6 Kaieteur News - The Berbice Bridge/Takeover; November 08, 2013. 7 Stabroek News - Cabinet Ordered NIS Investment In Berbice Bridge; May 06, 2016. 8 Stabroek News - The Berbice River Bridge Fiasco; September 07, 2015. 9 Stabroek News - Reports on the state of the Sugar Industry Disquieting – EU Ambassador; December 27, 2009. 10 Stabroek News - Govt mulling sale of Skeldon Estate – Thomas; November 13, 2016. 3