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Jamaica Sugar Industry in Crisis
10/26/05
Jamaica Sugar Industry in Crisis
Yesterday October 25, 2005 the Prime Minister P. J. Patterson disclosed in Parliament plans to eventually close two of the five Government owned sugar plants, Long Pond and Bernard Lodge. This decision is based on the pending cuts in sugar prices proposed by the European Union (EU) on sugar imported from Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries over the next four years. About 4000 sugar workers will be affected.
The Prime Minister pointed out that the closure will be done on a phased basis starting next year 2006. The Government also indicated plans to introduce suitable alternatives. Steps are to be taken to establish training programs to retrain workers. Job opportunities are expected to be created from the expansion of the tourism sector, the introduction of the production of ethanol as a substitute for chemical MTBE in gasoline and the increased production of molasses for rum manufacture.
Follow up:
How will this grant scheme be funded? The Government hopes to secure some compensation from the EU, along with soft loans from EU institutions and other international financial institutions.
How much will it cost? Mr. Patterson admitted that he did not have a total cost at this time. He also disclosed that already a Brazilian entity is interested in acquiring one of the Government owned factory for the production of ethanol.
Will the Government plans help the nation? Many Jamaicans including the sugar farmers of Jamaica do not think so. In fact from all indications the farmers are quite outraged. They believe the present position of the sugar industry is as a result of bad management and wants the government to turn over the factories to them. They believe that with the right persons at the helm the industry can be restored.
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Reasons why I love my Jamaican Mom
1. My Mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.
"Just wait till we get home."
2. My Mother taught me about RECEIVING.
"You going get a ass'n when we get home!"
3. My Mother taught me to MEET A CHALLENGE.
"What di backside yu thinkin'? Answer me when me talk to you...Don't talk back to me!"
4. My Mother taught me CONSEQUENCES.
"If yu run cross de road an' cyar lick yu dung, a goin' kill yu wid lick."
5. My Mother taught me THE VALUE OF EDUCATION.
"If yu no go a school, yu a go tun tief or walk an' pick up bottle."
6. My Mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE.
"If yu tun over yu eye lid an fly pitch pan it, it a go stay so fi evva."
7. My Mother taught me to THINK AHEAD.
"Is not one time monkey goin' wan' wife"
8. My Mother taught me ESP.
"Yu tink a don't know what yu up to nuh?"
9. My Mother taught me HUMOR.
"If yu don' eat food, breeze goin' blow yu 'way."
10. My Mother taught me how to BECOME AN ADULT.
"Come an' tek yu beatin' like man."
11. My Mother taught me about SEX.
"Yu tink say yu drop from sky?"
12. My Mother taught me about GENETICS.
"Yu jus' like yu faada."
13. My Mother taught me about my ROOTS.
"Yu tink mi come from "Back A Wall?"
14. My Mother taught me about WISDOM OF AGE.
"When yu get to be as ol' as me, yu wi understan'."
15. And my all time favorite... JUSTICE.
"One day wen yu have pickney, a hope dem treat yu same way."
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