A political crisis is developing in Guyana as Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed has made serious allegations against President Irfaan Ali. Mohamed claims that President Ali has illegally diverted over $2.2 billion in taxpayer money to construct a private agricultural estate along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway. In a detailed presentation, he asserted that the President has spent the last three years building a 150-acre ranch, which he argues cannot be justified by Ali’s official salary or known income sources.
According to the allegations, the estate has been equipped with state-funded infrastructure, including a newly paved access road, a private water grid, and extensive electrical systems. Mohamed contends that these developments bypassed standard public procurement processes. He criticized the President, stating that a leader should serve the citizens, not enrich themselves.
The Opposition’s brief outlines various components of the estate, including:
- Livestock & Poultry Units: Facilities housing around 80,000 chickens and various livestock.
- Agro-Industrial Infrastructure: High-tech greenhouses and commercial orchards.
- Aquaculture & Logistics: Fish-breeding ponds and agricultural machinery.
- The Executive Compound: A luxury residential estate with recreational facilities.
Mohamed also highlighted the estate’s operational costs, which include a full-time workforce, and criticized the lack of independent oversight. He called for an investigation by international authorities into potential abuses of public office and money laundering, demanding the President’s resignation.
In response, President Ali has denied the allegations, labeling them as a smear campaign and asserting that he will not be intimidated by what he described as blackmail from the Mohamed family. He stated that his agricultural investments are legally compliant and fully documented. The President indicated that his administration would not be distracted from its development agenda by these accusations.
Source: hgptv.com
