PNP urges gov't to rethink closure of Monymusk, fast-track negotiations with potential investors

Opposition spokesman on Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Fenton Ferguson, is urging the government to rethink its decision to close the Monymusk sugar factory in southern Clarendon.

"While there might be split views within the Cabinet on the continuation of a sugar industry, it would be premature at this time to close the Monymusk factory given the hardships that the workers, farmers, businesses, transport industry and schools will face,” Ferguson said in a release issued today.

He said thousands of persons depend on the $34 million fortnightly pay bill of Monymusk and its closure would result in a significant economic fallout in the area.

According to Ferguson, the Cabinet should seriously consider the proposal put forward by critical stakeholders, inclusive of Ministry of Agriculture personnel, to keep the factory open for the 2019-2020 season, pointing out that the burden on the government would not be significant when the returns from sale of the sugar are taken into account.

Consequently, the Opposition spokesman is suggesting that the government fast-track negotiations with potential investors who have shown an interest in Monymusk so that timely arrangements can be made for the 2020-2021 season.

In the meantime, Ferguson, who is the member of parliament for Eastern St Thomas where the soon-to-be-closed Golden Grove sugar factory is located, is reminding the agriculture minister and the Government to be proactive in dealing with the closure of the sugar factory at the end of this year's sugar crop to minimise the impact on the people of St Thomas, and Duckenfield in particular.

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