Severance pay is available to workers attached to Aroaima Bauxite Company (ABC) who are willing to terminate their services with the company.

However, those who are so inclined will not be declared redundant, according to President Bharrat Jagdeo. Responding to questions raised by Stabroek News at a media briefing held at State House in New Amsterdam last Saturday, the Head of State explained that workers have been told that if they accepted a wage freeze they will not be affected by any loss of jobs.

"If not, between 80 to 100 workers will lose their jobs. We are trying to save some 800 jobs," he said "but workers should think of sustaining their employment."

Agreeing that there is need for workers to be provided with up-to-date information as developments unfold, President Jagdeo said "we have to talk more with workers but unfortunately the union has not been very helpful. We are not certain whether the new company will work but we are willing to give it a shot."

Touching on the sugar industry, Jagdeo disclosed that he recently met with the British Department for International Development, the World Bank, and the Caribbean Development Bank in an attempt to put together a financial package for the expansion of the Skeldon Estate. "We have to come up with US$110 to save the industry. We have the best chance of surviving in the hemisphere," he noted.

In relation to the rice sector, Jagdeo told reporters "we are still trying to work out an arrangement with bankers to bring some relief to small farmers who owe less than $5 million."

Asked about concerns expressed about government not receiving value for money spent, particularly in the administrative regions, the President noted that "the tax take is only about one-twentieth of what is spent in the region but unfortunately we do not get value for the money spent. The majority of the neighbourhood democratic councils [NDCs] are in a sad state and we need to replace people since this is the only way we can solve some of the problems. We have to have new people in the NDCs who are vigilant," he said, pointing out that consultants and supervisors collude with contractors.

According to the Head of State, the opposition PNC/Reform "did not want local government elections but hopefully these will be held next year."

In response to a question on the necessity for his frequent visits to the region and other parts of the country, the President said, "I like to keep in touch with what is going on.

The protests at Albion were because of a breakdown of communication. I knew of the problem when the protests had already started."

The appointment of a community relations officer in the region and plans to appoint similar officers in other regions, he stated, would seek to address the problem of an inadequate flow of information from the regions to his office.

He did not agree that the appointment was an indication that he was not satisfied with the level of performance of regional officials whose responsibilities include providing regular feedback on problems and issues within the regions to Central Government. Referring to the inquiry into the incidents at Corriverton, Jagdeo said his information was that it was still ongoing but should be concluded shortly.

The President was on a one-day visit to East Berbice during which he addressed a luncheon hosted by the Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Development Association (BCC&DA) to mark its 69th anniversary.