Dear Editor,
It is with a profound sense of gravity and concern for the future of our nation that A New and United Guyana – ANUG-writes regarding the serious allegations concerning President Irfaan Ali’s purported ( GY)$2 billion plus farm, as revealed by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Azruddin Mohamed. ANUG calls for an impartial/independent investigation into President Ali’s $2.4 Billion farm to ensure no state funds were illegally subverted to facilitate this personal farm project. While the veracity of these claims must be established through due process, the potential ramifications for Guyana, should these allegations prove true, are catastrophic and demand the closest scrutiny.
The legal framework governing this situation is particularly concerning. In Guyana, Under Section 3(1) of the State Lands Act, Chapter 62:01, the power to grant leases of State lands is vested expressly in the President. Not the Guyana Lands and Surveys!
So,
Did President Ali vest the 150 acres of state lands unto himself?
Did former President Granger convey the 150 acres of state lands to MP Irfaan Ali?
Did former President Ramotar convey the 150 acres of state lands to MP Irfaan Ali?
Did former President Jagdeo convey the 150 acres of state lands to MP Irfaan Ali?
Editor, there is information in the public domain that underscores the immense fiduciary duty that rests on the Office of the President, which would make the alleged misuse of this authority for private gain an egregious violation of the public trust. The possibility that state funds/ lands were illegally channelled to a private commercial venture strikes at the very heart of the social contract between the Guyanese people and their government. This is not a matter of mere political rivalry; it is a matter of fiduciary duty and national integrity. Our people, particularly those in vulnerable communities, face persistent challenges in accessing quality healthcare, education, and infrastructure. At the very moment we are being asked to tighten our belts for national development, the alleged diversion of $2 billion would represent an unforgivable betrayal of the public trust.
Furthermore, this situation threatens to undermine the credibility of our democratic institutions and the rule of law. If such a high-ranking official were permitted to benefit from the misuse of public funds with impunity, it would set a dangerous precedent, suggesting that our systems of accountability and oversight are merely performative. This would embolden corruption, discourage foreign investment, and tarnish Guyana’s reputation on the international stage.
Editor, these allegations also serve to deepen the political divide, and disengagement among the populace. When citizens lose faith that their leaders are acting in the national interest, the very foundation of good governance is compromised. We cannot afford to let this moment pass without a thorough, independent, and transparent investigation. The need for institutional accountability is paramount to prevent Guyana from sliding towards a path where perceived impunity becomes the norm.
Lacking institutional accountability creates corrosive implications:
Editor, ANUG urges the relevant authorities to treat this matter with the seriousness it deserves and to ensure that the process of justice is not only seen to be done BUT must be done. Our nation’s future depends on a clear and unequivocal adherence to the principles of probity and accountability. If these claims are true and state funds were illegally channelled for its development, the consequences for the people of Guyana would be devastating, representing a profound betrayal of public trust.
This is not a matter of mere political rivalry, but a fundamental question of probity and the rule of law.
The clock is ticking.