KINGSTON, Jamaica — Opposition spokesperson on agriculture and rural development, Dr Fenton Ferguson, is calling on Minister of Commerce, Industry, Agriculture and Fisheries, Audley Shaw and the Cabinet of Jamaica to rethink its position on the closure of the Monymusk Sugar Factory in Clarendon.

Shaw, in a statement on Thursday, said the Government has been unable to identify a suitable investor to repair and operate the Pan Caribbean-owned sugar factory for the 2018/2019 crop season and as such, the facility would be temporarily closed.

He said sugar cane from the area would be transported for processing at the Appleton and Worthy Park sugar factories in St Elizabeth and St Catherine, respectively.

The minister also assured that the Government will be providing some assistance to the workers of the Monymusk factory who will be affected by the temporary closure.

However, the Opposition is contending that the economic impact on thousands of persons as a result of a $34-million fortnightly pay bill fallout in the area will be devastating.

Ferguson said: “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.”

He is also calling on the Cabinet to seriously consider the proposal put forward by critical stakeholders, inclusive of the Ministry of Agriculture personnel, to keep the factory open for the 2019-2020 season as it will not be a significant burden to the Government when the returns from sale of the sugar are taken into account.

Shaw, in his statement, said the transport option was determined to be the best of five options presented for assessment to ensure the harvesting of the current crop and, most of all, to secure the livelihoods of the 250 farmers whose well-being would otherwise be at risk.

According to the agriculture ministry, preliminary estimates indicate that the rehabilitation and operation of the Monymusk factory would require expenditure of approximately $600 to 800 million, while the Cabinet-approved transport option is projected to cost between $152 million and $194 million.

The ministry further disclosed that it is in receipt of proposals for longer term solutions for the rehabilitation and operation of the factory.

The Opposition, in its statement today, demanded an aggressive approach to the negotiations with potential investors Monymusk so that timely arrangements can be made for the 2020-2021 season.

Ferguson is also reminding the minister and the Government to be proactive in dealing with the Golden Grove Sugar Factory that is facing its last season with the Seprod Group so the people of St Thomas, and Duckenfield in particular, will not be faced with a similar situation as the people of Clarendon.