Wednesday, 15 December 2010
610 former Caroni workers get leases
By
Abby Brathwaite
After waiting more than seven years, more than 600 former Caroni workers received leases to agricultural lands yesterday.
The former employees received their leases for two-acre plots at a distribution ceremony hosted by the Ministry of Food Production, Land and Marine Affairs at the University of Trinidad and Tobago, O'Meara Campus.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar delivered a number of the leases.
She said the agriculture sector had been neglected and this had a negative impact on the economy.
"For almost a decade this sector was woefully neglected and we are intent on righting this wrong ... the neglect of the agriculture sector caused the alarming rise in food prices in our country that has contributed to the inflationary rates we are seeing and to other social and economic consequences," Persad-Bissessar said.
"It is my hope that in delivering your long promised land, you will recognise our intention to partner with you to rebuilding this crucial sector so as to promote effective economic diversification."
Leases for two-acre parcels of land were given to 610 former Caroni workers across ten allotted sites. Food Production Minister Vasant Bharath, the line minister responsible for the distribution of these lands, said more than 4,000 people were waiting on similar leases.
"I have committed that we will do all of the agricultural leases (about 7,000) by the end of December," Bharath said.
"The housing leases we have temporarily halted several of the contracts... for us to determine where we are going to put housing lots and which ones we are going to return to agriculture. So once the Estate Management and Business Development Company (EMBD) board is appointed and makes these determinations we will proceed with the housing lots."
He said he was aware of the hardships many of the recipients have endured since the sugar industry was shut down.
"Since the closure of Caroni (1975) Ltd we know that many of you have suffered tremendous hardships. Some of you have visited my office in Port of Spain on many occasions to personally tell me of your plight," he said.
He said the ministry was preparing an incentive programme in the new year to assist new land owners produce crops.
"As a matter of fact, come January, the Land and Water Development Division of the ministry, in conjunction with the EMBD, will embark on a programme of accelerated development of agricultural access roads."
Kenneth Glasgow, a former cane cutter, is anxiously waiting on this new initiative programme.
Now the owner of land at Felicity he said he needed the financial help to begin cultivation.
"I want to start planting some pumpkin and other short crops but I need some more help to start," Glasgow said.
The former employees received their leases for two-acre plots at a distribution ceremony hosted by the Ministry of Food Production, Land and Marine Affairs at the University of Trinidad and Tobago, O'Meara Campus.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar delivered a number of the leases.
She said the agriculture sector had been neglected and this had a negative impact on the economy.
"For almost a decade this sector was woefully neglected and we are intent on righting this wrong ... the neglect of the agriculture sector caused the alarming rise in food prices in our country that has contributed to the inflationary rates we are seeing and to other social and economic consequences," Persad-Bissessar said.
"It is my hope that in delivering your long promised land, you will recognise our intention to partner with you to rebuilding this crucial sector so as to promote effective economic diversification."
Leases for two-acre parcels of land were given to 610 former Caroni workers across ten allotted sites. Food Production Minister Vasant Bharath, the line minister responsible for the distribution of these lands, said more than 4,000 people were waiting on similar leases.
"I have committed that we will do all of the agricultural leases (about 7,000) by the end of December," Bharath said.
"The housing leases we have temporarily halted several of the contracts... for us to determine where we are going to put housing lots and which ones we are going to return to agriculture. So once the Estate Management and Business Development Company (EMBD) board is appointed and makes these determinations we will proceed with the housing lots."
He said he was aware of the hardships many of the recipients have endured since the sugar industry was shut down.
"Since the closure of Caroni (1975) Ltd we know that many of you have suffered tremendous hardships. Some of you have visited my office in Port of Spain on many occasions to personally tell me of your plight," he said.
He said the ministry was preparing an incentive programme in the new year to assist new land owners produce crops.
"As a matter of fact, come January, the Land and Water Development Division of the ministry, in conjunction with the EMBD, will embark on a programme of accelerated development of agricultural access roads."
Kenneth Glasgow, a former cane cutter, is anxiously waiting on this new initiative programme.
Now the owner of land at Felicity he said he needed the financial help to begin cultivation.
"I want to start planting some pumpkin and other short crops but I need some more help to start," Glasgow said.
Thursday, 7 October 2010
Wednesday, 25 August 2010
PM to probe ‘Sweetener Loan’ to ex-Caroni workers
Ex-Caroni workers are
awaiting word from Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar on whether an
investigation will be conducted into the VSEP “Sweetener Loan” offered
to them by the Agricultural Development Bank and the Unit Trust
Corporation.
Members of the ex-Caroni Workers
Association yesterday delivered letters to Persad-Bissessar, Works and
Transport Minister Jack Warner; Finance Minister Winston Dookeran, and
Attorney General, Anand Ramlogan, requesting an investigation into the
matter.
According to the Association’s General Secretary, Allan Praimdass, the ADB and the UTC offered ex-workers the opportunity to invest in a joint venture specifically designed and configured to attract those who received Voluntary Separation of Employment Packages in 2003. It was called the “Sweetener Loan” and those who invested their money would have received 98 percent of the investment as a loan from the ADB.
The money was placed in the UTC under the Individual Retirement Unit Account (IRUA). It was expected to yield an interest of 12 percent compounded over a six-year period up to August, 2009. Interest generated from the IRUA was expected to repay the loan and to provide a lump sum payment to ex-workers at the end of the period.
“We received quarterly statements saying that everything was going according to plan, interest was being accumulating.
“In August 2009 however, we received a letter from the ADB saying due to the economic downturn the investment failed. It did not live up to expectations so we did not have to repay the loan, but no interest could be paid to us. Up until the five and a half year period, we were told it was doing well,” he said.
He said cane farmers wanted to either meet with Persad-Bissessar, or deliver their letter to ask her to investigate what occurred that caused the investment to fail.
While Praimdass was speaking to the media outside of the Prime Minister’s Office, St Clair, Press Secretary, Garvin Nicholas came out of the building and met with ex-workers assembled there. After Praimdass explained the situation, Nicholas assured the letter would be delivered directly to Bissessar as soon as she arrived at the office.
According to the Association’s General Secretary, Allan Praimdass, the ADB and the UTC offered ex-workers the opportunity to invest in a joint venture specifically designed and configured to attract those who received Voluntary Separation of Employment Packages in 2003. It was called the “Sweetener Loan” and those who invested their money would have received 98 percent of the investment as a loan from the ADB.
The money was placed in the UTC under the Individual Retirement Unit Account (IRUA). It was expected to yield an interest of 12 percent compounded over a six-year period up to August, 2009. Interest generated from the IRUA was expected to repay the loan and to provide a lump sum payment to ex-workers at the end of the period.
“We received quarterly statements saying that everything was going according to plan, interest was being accumulating.
“In August 2009 however, we received a letter from the ADB saying due to the economic downturn the investment failed. It did not live up to expectations so we did not have to repay the loan, but no interest could be paid to us. Up until the five and a half year period, we were told it was doing well,” he said.
He said cane farmers wanted to either meet with Persad-Bissessar, or deliver their letter to ask her to investigate what occurred that caused the investment to fail.
While Praimdass was speaking to the media outside of the Prime Minister’s Office, St Clair, Press Secretary, Garvin Nicholas came out of the building and met with ex-workers assembled there. After Praimdass explained the situation, Nicholas assured the letter would be delivered directly to Bissessar as soon as she arrived at the office.
Thursday, 12 August 2010
Coop plan coming for former Caroni workers: Bharath
http://jyoticommunication.blogspot.com/2010/08/coop-plan-coming-for-former-caroni.html
The government of Trinidad and Tobago is moving to establish large scale coop farms on lands that were formely used for sugar cane colultivation.
When
former Prime Minister Patrick manning closed the sugar company he
promised two-acre plots to former sugar workers but only handed over a
few plots.
On Wednesday Agriculture
Minister Vasant Bharath told reporters Government will amalgamate the
two-acre plots to develop large scale technology-based food crop
farming. He added that it is not feasible for farmers to plant on two
acres of land because it is not large enough for large-scale
agriculture.
He said the plan
is to form co-operatives. “That way we can have 50 to 100 acres of
land used for a standard crop. This will make it feasible for us to put
technology in the farms,” he said.
The
coop idea was first suggested decades ago by a special committee headed
by the late Frank Rampersad, who was chiarman of Caroni (1975) Limited.
The
recommendation was to develop coops of large acreages for food crop
farming and have sugar workers own the lands. But then Prime Minister
Eric Williams turned down the recommendation because he felt that the
lands should not be owned by the workers.
Bharath
noted that small farmers have no choice but to abandon their lands
because they face immense problems including the high cost of chemicals
and fertilisers and praedial larceny.
“A
lot of the farmers got lands far away from their homes so when they
plant the crops and it is harvest time you would find that as soon as
they turn their backs, people steal their crops.” He said government
would unveil plans on Thursday for dealing with the larceny problem.
Sunday, 18 July 2010
Caroni Ltd in waiting
link : http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/98690249.html
By Ariti Jankie South Bureau
Story Created: Jul 18, 2010 at 1:51 AM ECT
Story Updated: Jul 23, 2010 at 2:42 AM ECT
The sugarcane industry was shut down in 2003 but Caroni (1975) Ltd continued to operate with a skeleton staff of 60 in a building on the Brechin Castle compound, Couva.
Now, the former sugar giant is waiting to make a comeback; Caroni (1975) Ltd workers feel that they can play an important role in the expansion of food production.
"We have a knowledge base of the land, a good relationship with the workers and can play a role in motivating and governing the agricultural initiative, "the company's chief executive officer, Deosaran Jagroo, said.
Jagroo said Caroni can act as a central agency to facilitate former workers.
"There is a need to organise capital investment and aid former employees who are struggling to make a living from the two-acre agricultural plots," he said.
Caroni closed its doors seven years ago sending home 7,965 workers.
The remaining 60 workers operate as part of a divestment company under the Ministry of Finance.
Included in the work yet to be done before a final shutdown are the distribution of over 7,000 residential lots to worker, issues relating to pensions and national insurance, as well as outstanding matters in the industrial and supreme courts.
Jagroo said he had not heard a single word on the future of the small existing staff since the new administration was sworn in.
He said only 200 residential lots were distributed out of 7,400 approved applicants.
"We have to wait until the land is developed by the Estate Management and Business Development Company and leases prepared before distribution," he said.
Jagroo said Caroni Ltd can play a significant role in aiding the ex-workers in the cultivation of the two-acre plots, the construction of houses on the building lots and facilitate the change from sugarcane to food crop on the remaining acres of the 78,000-acre estate.
While 95 per cent of its ex-workers received two-acre parcels of agricultural land, a total of 1,341.73 acres were set aside for residential plots to be distributed to those who did not own their own homes. The land distribution to ex-workers formed part of a Voluntary Separation of Employment Programme (VSEP).
The ex-employees were expected to step into food crop farming on the two-acre parcels and become home owners on the residential lots.
The major part of the estate comprising 38,942 acres has been occupied by agricultural tenants with 27,081 acres under sugarcane. Agricultural squatters account for 4,222 acres.
Control of the agricultural lands went to the Commissioner of State Lands with Caroni records of the remaining acres showing:
• 2,640 acres went to commercial/residential built up development;
• 5,266 acres consist of roads, traces, playgrounds and cemeteries;
• 2,988 acres under citrus cultivation;
• 3,171 acres set aside for rice cultivation;
• 4,175 acres for livestock and pasture;
• 340 acres for tree crops;
• 284 acres for aquaculture;
• 2,258 acres occupied by commercial/residential tenants, squatters and long leases.
The meltdown also saw the setting up of the Sugar Manufacturing Company Ltd at Usine Ste Madeleine, Princes Town. Processing sugarcane until 2007, the factory closed when government finally shut down the industry in 2007. The refinery operated until last April refining raw sugar purchased from neighbouring countries.
The factory at Usine Ste Madeleine forms part of Caroni's assets and is likely to restart as sugarcane farmers wait on word from the new Agriculture Ministry to hand over the asset for a bagasse production plant.
Calling for the remaining lands to be brought back under the agricultural ministry, Food Production Minister Vasant Bharath said that the estate lands were best suited for agriculture.
Another matter waiting to be settled is the sale of 135 bungalows each with 10,000 square feet of land to senior managers of the company as part of VSEP.
The matter is before the Industrial Court. Valuation of the houses was questioned by the Association of Technical, Administrative and Supervisory Staff union, which challenged the sale.
By Ariti Jankie South Bureau
Story Created: Jul 18, 2010 at 1:51 AM ECT
Story Updated: Jul 23, 2010 at 2:42 AM ECT
The sugarcane industry was shut down in 2003 but Caroni (1975) Ltd continued to operate with a skeleton staff of 60 in a building on the Brechin Castle compound, Couva.
Now, the former sugar giant is waiting to make a comeback; Caroni (1975) Ltd workers feel that they can play an important role in the expansion of food production.
"We have a knowledge base of the land, a good relationship with the workers and can play a role in motivating and governing the agricultural initiative, "the company's chief executive officer, Deosaran Jagroo, said.
Jagroo said Caroni can act as a central agency to facilitate former workers.
"There is a need to organise capital investment and aid former employees who are struggling to make a living from the two-acre agricultural plots," he said.
Caroni closed its doors seven years ago sending home 7,965 workers.
The remaining 60 workers operate as part of a divestment company under the Ministry of Finance.
Included in the work yet to be done before a final shutdown are the distribution of over 7,000 residential lots to worker, issues relating to pensions and national insurance, as well as outstanding matters in the industrial and supreme courts.
Jagroo said he had not heard a single word on the future of the small existing staff since the new administration was sworn in.
He said only 200 residential lots were distributed out of 7,400 approved applicants.
"We have to wait until the land is developed by the Estate Management and Business Development Company and leases prepared before distribution," he said.
Jagroo said Caroni Ltd can play a significant role in aiding the ex-workers in the cultivation of the two-acre plots, the construction of houses on the building lots and facilitate the change from sugarcane to food crop on the remaining acres of the 78,000-acre estate.
While 95 per cent of its ex-workers received two-acre parcels of agricultural land, a total of 1,341.73 acres were set aside for residential plots to be distributed to those who did not own their own homes. The land distribution to ex-workers formed part of a Voluntary Separation of Employment Programme (VSEP).
The ex-employees were expected to step into food crop farming on the two-acre parcels and become home owners on the residential lots.
The major part of the estate comprising 38,942 acres has been occupied by agricultural tenants with 27,081 acres under sugarcane. Agricultural squatters account for 4,222 acres.
Control of the agricultural lands went to the Commissioner of State Lands with Caroni records of the remaining acres showing:
• 2,640 acres went to commercial/residential built up development;
• 5,266 acres consist of roads, traces, playgrounds and cemeteries;
• 2,988 acres under citrus cultivation;
• 3,171 acres set aside for rice cultivation;
• 4,175 acres for livestock and pasture;
• 340 acres for tree crops;
• 284 acres for aquaculture;
• 2,258 acres occupied by commercial/residential tenants, squatters and long leases.
The meltdown also saw the setting up of the Sugar Manufacturing Company Ltd at Usine Ste Madeleine, Princes Town. Processing sugarcane until 2007, the factory closed when government finally shut down the industry in 2007. The refinery operated until last April refining raw sugar purchased from neighbouring countries.
The factory at Usine Ste Madeleine forms part of Caroni's assets and is likely to restart as sugarcane farmers wait on word from the new Agriculture Ministry to hand over the asset for a bagasse production plant.
Calling for the remaining lands to be brought back under the agricultural ministry, Food Production Minister Vasant Bharath said that the estate lands were best suited for agriculture.
Another matter waiting to be settled is the sale of 135 bungalows each with 10,000 square feet of land to senior managers of the company as part of VSEP.
The matter is before the Industrial Court. Valuation of the houses was questioned by the Association of Technical, Administrative and Supervisory Staff union, which challenged the sale.
Friday, 22 January 2010
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