During his address at the 78th commemoration of the Enmore Martyrs on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, President Dr. Irfaan Ali delivered a stern warning to the leadership of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), signaling that major administrative changes are imminent due to the corporation’s failure to meet production targets.
President Ali voiced clear frustration with the industry’s slow recovery, despite the government investing over G$50 billion into the sector over the last five years and allocating G$13.4 billion in the 2026 Budget alone for modernization and mechanization.
“I am not pleased with the failure of the corporation to consistently achieve the production target,” the President stated. “I have made this position abundantly clear, I have read the riot act to management, I have demanded greater accountability and efficiency, I have demanded better results.” He confirmed that structural changes at the estate level are now necessary to ensure the state receives adequate returns on its significant investments.
In a significant development, the President issued a public challenge to the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU). He invited the union to step beyond traditional industrial relations and take direct responsibility for managing one of the sugar estates.
“If you would like to take up the mantle of management and to take one of the estates and make it your model, we give you that challenge openly,” the President said, urging the union to be a “better partner” and avoid what he described as “unnecessary” strike actions that hinder production.
Despite the criticisms, the President reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the sugar industry, emphasizing its importance to rural livelihoods, housing, and infrastructure. Key strategies for revival include:
Aggressive Mechanization: Approximately 44% of cultivation lands have already been converted to support mechanical harvesting, with plans to increase this to 60%.
Technological Integration: The adoption of drone technology for crop surveillance and fertilizer application to boost efficiency.
Factory Upgrades: Continued capital investment in factory infrastructure, including the replacement of boilers, rollers, and conveyor systems.
Strategic Hubs: The President announced plans for a 50-acre industrial hub at Enmore to create new jobs and economic opportunities for the community.
While the government continues to explore proposals from international partners—specifically regarding the Skeldon Estate—the President reiterated that the responsibility for the industry’s survival is a collective one, requiring the active participation of management, workers, and the union.
