-Opposition Leader posted video showing empty holding pens
The Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) has defended the operation of its Onverwagt, Region Five abattoir, dismissing what it said are recent allegations circulating on social media as “speculation and misinformation” and insisting that the facility is contributing to the development of Guyana’s livestock sector.
While the authority did not identify Opposition Leader and We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party leader Azruddin Mohamed by name in a statement issued yesterday, it was clearly responding to a video he posted on Facebook in which he described the facility as an “$800 million white elephant,” alleged corruption in its construction and operation, and questioned whether livestock farmers were benefitting from the investment.
“Recent claims circulating on social media regarding the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) Abattoir at Onverwagt, Region Five, are based on speculation and misinformation rather than facts,” the authority said. “These attempts to create a false narrative disregard the evidence and overlook the significant role the facility is playing in the development of Guyana’s livestock sector.”
The authority said the abattoir was established as part of the government’s strategy to modernise the livestock industry, improve food safety standards and create opportunities for value-added production and exports.
According to the GLDA, claims that the facility is inactive are contradicted by production records.
“Since becoming operational, the abattoir has produced approximately 111,650 kilograms of carcass beef, utilizing cattle supplied mainly by farmers from Regions Four, Five, Six, Nine and Ten, with limited quantities originating from (Bonfim), Brazil, through approved and lawful channels,” the statement said.
Empty
The response came after Mohamed posted a video showing empty holding pens and what he said was an absence of workers.
Standing outside the abattoir, Mohamed said, “This is what corruption looks like under the PPP. Behind me is an $800 million white elephant with not a cow, black-bellied sheep or staff in sight. All I’m seeing is a rice-eater dog.”
The Opposition Leader argued that the project had failed to deliver on promises made to livestock farmers.
“The Onverwagt abattoir in Region Five was sold to Guyanese as a game-changing investment for livestock farmers. Cattle farmers were told it would create opportunities for them and support exports to regional markets,” he said. “But today residents and farmers are asking, where are the results?” Mohamed said.
Mohamed also criticised the location of the facility, contending that it was built in an area that is difficult for farmers to access.
“The abattoir is located in a remote area behind God’s back, making access difficult and costly,” he said.
He further argued that the project represented poor value for money.
“For $800 million, the government could have built three slaughterhouses around the country. Look at what they built for $800 million. A simple, small structure,” he said.
In its statement, however, the GLDA maintained that the facility’s performance should not be judged by photographs or observations made during isolated visits.
“It is also important to understand that an abattoir is not a cattle farm. Animals are brought to the facility according to scheduled slaughter requirements. Therefore, the absence of cattle or employees at a particular moment cannot reasonably be used as proof that the facility is abandoned or underutilized,” the authority said.
“Such conclusions reveal either a lack of understanding of how modern processing facilities operate or a deliberate effort to mislead the public.”
Over the course of his video, Mohamed repeatedly highlighted what he said was a lack of activity at the facility during visits conducted on June 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 22.
On one occasion he stated, “The holding pen, no animals inside, no staff in the compound.”
During another visit he said, “Nothing is going on here. No cow, no nothing. What’s going on here? Nothing. Brand new abattoir.”
On June 22, he again pointed to the empty pens and declared, “Nothing is going on here at the abattoir. More bees, not a cow, not a goat, not a sheep, nothing.”
Mohamed also made a series of allegations concerning the importation of cattle from Brazil, claiming that animals were being brought into Guyana under cover of darkness, slaughtered at the facility and then sold on the local market.
“My sources from within the Ministry of Agriculture said that on multiple occasions cattle were brought in from Brazil during the late-night hours. These animals were slaughtered and removed before daylight and injected into the local market,” he alleged.
He went on to claim that government officials were profiting from the operation, alleging that cattle purchased in Brazil at lower prices were being resold locally at significant mark-ups.
“So this is the only purpose this facility is serving. That’s the only purpose for the big boys. For them to bring in their animals, kill it overnight and then sell the next day, inject it into the local market,” he said.
Mohamed did not provide evidence to support the allegations and relied on unnamed sources.
The GLDA strongly rejected those assertions, describing them as irresponsible and unsupported.
“Particularly irresponsible are allegations that cattle are being secretly imported from Brazil for the benefit of public officials. These are serious accusations for which no evidence has been presented,” the authority said.
It noted that Guyana has established veterinary, inspection, quarantine and certification systems governing livestock imports and said these mechanisms exist to protect animal health, food safety and the integrity of the livestock industry.
“Anyone with credible evidence of illegal activities should submit that information to the relevant authorities for investigation. Allegations of criminal conduct cannot be based on rumours, assumptions or anonymous claims. Facts and evidence must prevail,” the statement added.
The authority also rejected allegations of corruption and personal enrichment.
“Equally, accusations of corruption and personal enrichment are serious matters that should be pursued through the appropriate legal channels and supported by evidence. Reckless allegations and sensationalism do nothing to strengthen accountability and only serve to undermine public discourse,” it said.
The authority did not, however, explain why cattle from Bonfim in Brazil is being slaughtered at Onverwagt.
Mohamed, meanwhile, questioned why the government had invested heavily in the Region Five facility while the Georgetown abattoir continues to operate in backward conditions.
“If the PPP really cared about putting people first, they would have invested some money in this abattoir to bring it up to standard,” he said while referring to the Georgetown facility. “At the end of the day, I’m sure the Cabinet and the Parliament get their beef from right here.”
In defending the investment, the GLDA said the government continues to support livestock development through herd expansion programmes, genetic improvement initiatives, animal health services and measures designed to increase productivity and strengthen food security.
The authority maintained that the success of the facility should be assessed through its contribution to the livestock industry rather than political criticism.
“Citizens have every right to question public investments and demand accountability. However, accountability must be rooted in facts and not in political theatrics,” it said.
“The GLDA Abattoir remains an important national investment and its success should be measured by the opportunities it creates for livestock producers, the improvements it brings to food safety and quality, and its contribution to building a stronger and more competitive livestock sector”, the authority said.
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