PUP Chairman: Sugar Solution Should Be in Best Interest of Belize

Henry Charles Usher

He went public last week to suggest that perhaps the government should nationalize the sugar factory at Tower Hill, after it seemed like there was no solution in sight for the deadlock involving the B.S.C F.A. Last Wednesday, P.U.P. Chairman, Henry Charles Usher, who is also a cabinet minister, was quoted on Vibes Radio and T.V as saying that it would serve better if the government acquires the sugar mill. That was when the disputing parties were in the thick of their differences. Now that there’s been a joint signing of a commercial agreement between the two parties, the collective hope is that the parties will press on with the business of sugar. So, today when we caught up with Usher, we asked for his thoughts on this breakthrough.

Henry Charles Usher, Cabinet Minister
“I’m happy to hear that there has been a resolution, that all parties were able to come to the table and late yesterday evening or into the night, they were able to come to a resolution. The Prime Minister has put out a statement and we are happy that we are able to start the sugar crop. We know the cane farmers are eager to start and we have to make sure that we continue to operate, continue to be honest brokers between the cane farmers and the mill, to make sure that it’s in the best interest of the country, the best interest of those stakeholders within the industry, especially the cane farmers.”

Marion Ali

“Do you foresee any future disputes or confrontations, conflicts?

Henry Usher

“I am not Nostradamus, so I can’t see the future, (chuckles) but I certainly believe that if we continue to dialogue, if we continue to be willing to be around the table, be willing to be respectful of each other’s opinions, of each other’s views, and for government to continue to be that honest mediator between the two sides – because remember, this is an issue between the cane farmers and the mill, but government must act as honest brokers, as regulators of the industry, so that the industry is operated in the best interest of all Belizeans.”