Don't take closures lightly
published: Monday | October 31, 2005

THE EDITOR, Sir:

THE CLOSURE of Bernard Lodge and Long Pond sugar estates will have a serious social impact on the communities around these factories. With the rising crime rate in Jamaica in general and Spanish Town in particular, the Government should be preoccupied with finding ways of generating jobs for the unemployed and therefore, a decision to close two sugar factories at this time cannot be taken too lightly; this has to be a strategic decision.

However, taking a strategic decision like this must involve dialogue with the major stakeholders such as the cane farmers, yet the screams coming from this group is that there was little consultation in arriving at this decision. This group is also saying that they, with the help of other interested parties, can operate these factories and make a profit. This pronouncement, in my opinion, should be music to the ears of the Government, and especially now when the Government is calling on us to be more entrepreneurial. This is refreshing coming from this group.

It is not too late for the Government to rethink its strategy to close the factories. They should put together a set of performance targets/criteria for this group to move the factories along a growth path with clear understanding of the input, if any, from Government. If the cane farmers succeed in this venture, both the Government and Jamaica succeed.

I am, etc.,

CARLTON FEARON

fearon@cybervale.com

Bloomfield

Via Go-Jamaica