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Tuesday, 30 December 2008
The country should hear on Tuesday whether state owned sugar factories will be yanked off the auction block in light of delays in finalising a sale agreement between the Government and the Brazilian firm Infinity Bio Energy.
It is down to the wire for the Bruce Golding administration with Wednesday being the deadline under the Heads of the Agreement for the parties to seal a deal.
Under a clause contained in the Agreement, the parties had 90 days from the end of September to complete negotiations for the divestment of the five sugar factories.
The sale which was scheduled to take place on September 30 did not materialize as the Government said it had not completed negotiations with the Brazilian company.
Final talks being held
Up to late Monday last minute talks were reportedly taking place with representatives of both sides.
A top level team including Agriculture Minister Dr. Chris Tufton was said to be in a meeting with the Prime Minister at Jamaica House.
Uncertainty has surrounded the negotiations with the People's National Party last week expressing doubt that the divestment will take place.
There was more uncertainty last month when the Prime Minister said he was worried that the divestment could be jeopardised by the global financial crisis.
The factories up for sale are Frome, Moneymusk, Bernard Lodge, Long Pond and Duckenfield.
Unions uncertain
And more concern is being raised that the delay in finalising the sale of the factories could place the 2008/2009 Sugar Crop in jeopardy.
Focus has again shifted to the Frome Factory in Westmoreland where the resumption of operations has been stalled for nearly two weeks.
Reports have now surfaced of several cane fires.
President of the National Workers Union, Vincent Morrison, said the situation is worsening.
"We have been urging the government through the Ministry of Agriculture to put in a Plan B because we believe that it is absolutely critical because if you don't have an agreement with Bio Infinity, the crop, surely at Frome should have been started,"
"We understand that there have been a number of cane fires and if something is not done to get the thing moving such as the repairs at the factory so the crop can get started as soon as possible, then the '09 crop could be in serious trouble," said Mr. Morrison.
http://www.radiojamaica.com/content/view/14512/26/
The country should hear on Tuesday whether state owned sugar factories will be yanked off the auction block in light of delays in finalising a sale agreement between the Government and the Brazilian firm Infinity Bio Energy.
It is down to the wire for the Bruce Golding administration with Wednesday being the deadline under the Heads of the Agreement for the parties to seal a deal.
Under a clause contained in the Agreement, the parties had 90 days from the end of September to complete negotiations for the divestment of the five sugar factories.
The sale which was scheduled to take place on September 30 did not materialize as the Government said it had not completed negotiations with the Brazilian company.
Final talks being held
Up to late Monday last minute talks were reportedly taking place with representatives of both sides.
A top level team including Agriculture Minister Dr. Chris Tufton was said to be in a meeting with the Prime Minister at Jamaica House.
Uncertainty has surrounded the negotiations with the People's National Party last week expressing doubt that the divestment will take place.
There was more uncertainty last month when the Prime Minister said he was worried that the divestment could be jeopardised by the global financial crisis.
The factories up for sale are Frome, Moneymusk, Bernard Lodge, Long Pond and Duckenfield.
Unions uncertain
And more concern is being raised that the delay in finalising the sale of the factories could place the 2008/2009 Sugar Crop in jeopardy.
Focus has again shifted to the Frome Factory in Westmoreland where the resumption of operations has been stalled for nearly two weeks.
Reports have now surfaced of several cane fires.
President of the National Workers Union, Vincent Morrison, said the situation is worsening.
"We have been urging the government through the Ministry of Agriculture to put in a Plan B because we believe that it is absolutely critical because if you don't have an agreement with Bio Infinity, the crop, surely at Frome should have been started,"
"We understand that there have been a number of cane fires and if something is not done to get the thing moving such as the repairs at the factory so the crop can get started as soon as possible, then the '09 crop could be in serious trouble," said Mr. Morrison.
http://www.radiojamaica.com/content/view/14512/26/
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