Money for rice farmers

Agriculture Minister Clarence Rambharat yesterday said rice farmers would receive most of the $1.9 million which the National Flour Mills (NFM) reportedly owes them by year's end. Speaking in the Senate, Rambharat said by December 31, NFM would, "would process payment of $1 million of the $1.9 million owed to the farmers."

The minister said the second payment of money to the farmers will be made in the first quarter of next year. Senate President Christine Kangaloo disallowed a question from Opposition Senator Wade Mark about what steps would be put in place to ensure this situation does not reoccur. Kangaloo told Mark that question did not arise. Opposition senator Gerald Ramdeen, attorney for some of the affected farmers, threatened legal action against NFM if the monies were not paid.