Guyana: AFC Calls For Independent Probe Into President’s Farm

The Alliance For Change (AFC) has formally called for an independent international investigation into the farmland associated with President Irfaan Ali, which is valued at G$5 billion. This demand comes amid allegations of corruption and irregularities in land acquisition processes. The AFC’s request for transparency follows public disclosures from opposition leaders and historical connections made by the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).

The AFC emphasizes that the Guyanese public has a right to full disclosure regarding the acquisition, financing, and valuation of the President’s 150-acre agro-industrial ranch located at Long Creek along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway. The party has raised concerns about the disparity between the ranch’s value and the standard monthly salary of a public servant, which is G$3.7 million.

In its political brief, the AFC has outlined several key areas for investigation:

• The Land Allocation Audit: The AFC demands that the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GL&SC) release documentation related to the original application, lease approvals, and boundary logs for the Long Creek property.
• The Utility Grid Probe: The party requests disclosures from the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) and water authorities regarding the financing and installation of utilities for the ranch.
• Banking & Proxy Tracking: The AFC calls for verification from financial institutions to ensure that no state influence was used to secure loans for the ranch.
• PEP Compliance Review: The AFC asserts that President Ali, as a Politically Exposed Person (PEP), must demonstrate that his private assets are not linked to state resources.

The AFC has criticized the current land distribution framework, highlighting that many ordinary citizens and small-scale farmers struggle to obtain even small parcels of land. They argue that the public deserves clarity on how the President secured such a large tract of land.

The issue of land acquisition has previously been contentious for President Ali, particularly during his time as Minister of Housing and Water, and is linked to past allegations of fraud that were dismissed after he became president in 2020. The AFC has accused the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) of fostering a culture of corruption and has urged civil society and the public to scrutinize the wealth accumulation of government officials.

With multiple opposition factions uniting on this issue, the pressure on President Ali to provide detailed financial disclosures has intensified.

Source: hgptv.com