-in apparent swipe at Opposition Leader over MV Barima aid
President Irfaan Ali last evening appeared to accuse Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed of using assistance to Indigenous communities affected by the MV Barima disaster to advance his political interests and escape his legal difficulties, warning residents against “wolves” arriving in fast boats with hampers and expressions of sympathy.
Without naming Mohamed, Ali told those gathered for the opening of Amerindian Heritage Month at the Amerindian Village, Sophia, not to allow their concerns to become “somebody else’s escape route for their own legal troubles” or “a ticket to avoid jail.”
Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed, are facing extradition to the United States on an 11-count federal indictment alleging wire fraud, money laundering and tax evasion connected to gold exports. The US Treasury sanctioned them and Mohamed’s Enterprise in 2024 over alleged corruption and the evasion of more than US$50 million in taxes. The CCJ recently rejected their challenge to the extradition process, clearing the way for proceedings to resume.
“Be careful about those who suddenly appear among you when there is a crisis, arriving in fast boats, bearing hampers and expressions of sympathy, presenting themselves as champions of your interests,” the President said.
Mohamed deployed a private boat during the search and recovery operations following the July 18 sinking of the MV Barima. His team also distributed relief supplies to affected communities and families.
Ali described unnamed persons as “wolves” and invoked the biblical warning about false prophets appearing in sheep’s clothing.
He accused them of attempting to turn the legitimate concerns of Indigenous people into political instruments for their own purposes.
“They may speak the language of empowerment, justice and representation, but ask yourselves, whose interests are they really advancing? Who ultimately benefits from the division they seek to create?” he said.
The President said such persons often emerged during crises with accusations, promises and offers of assistance but disappeared after public attention faded.
“When the crisis has passed, when the cameras have gone and the headlines have faded, who remains?” he asked.
Ali also used the story of the Trojan horse to caution Indigenous people against accepting apparently generous assistance without examining the motives of those providing it.
“Sometimes the gravest danger is the person who comes smiling, bearing gifts and claiming to be your friend,” he said.
He maintained that the PPP/C administration had consistently supported Indigenous communities and would remain after the immediate crisis had passed.
The President and Mohamed were friends for a long period before a bitter falling out in the period leading up to the 2025 general elections.
Dissatisfaction
Meanwhile, Ali also expressed dissatisfaction with telecommunications providers over their limited service in hinterland communities and called for increased investment to close the communication gap with the coast.
“We are dissatisfied with Digicel and GTT and all the other service providers—ENet and everyone,” the President said. “They have to make more investment in the hinterland. They have to bridge the communication divide.”
He said it was unacceptable that communities along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway still lacked adequate coverage because the necessary towers had not been installed.
“They must make the investment,” Ali said.
According to Ali, US$19.6 million has been invested in information and communications technology in the hinterland.
He said 179 low-Earth-orbit satellite terminals had been installed and high-speed connectivity extended to 253 villages.
More than 230 ICT hub managers had been trained, while over 2,850 residents had received certification in basic digital literacy, with women accounting for 75% of the trainees.
Ali said $3.6 billion had been invested in hinterland connectivity between 2020 and 2026.
Housing development
The President also announced that the government would launch a special housing development for hinterland families.
He provided no details about its proposed location, eligibility requirements, cost or starting date.
Ali said more than $2 billion had already been invested in housing for Indigenous communities.
He also listed investments in roads, electricity, water, education, healthcare and village economies.
The President said hinterland electricity-generating capacity had increased from 1.62 megawatts to approximately 17.5 megawatts, while water coverage had moved from 45% to 95%.
According to him, 260 new water systems had been constructed and more than 400 were operating.
During the address, Ali paused to lift a young girl standing behind him as part of a cultural group.
“This can be the next president of this country because we’re investing to give everyone the opportunity to stand behind a podium like this one day,” he said.
He then invited the child to greet the audience.
“Say hello,” Ali told her. After she complied, he responded: “Beautiful. There you go.”
Ali said government investment should ensure that Indigenous people were participants in and beneficiaries of Guyana’s economic transformation rather than spectators.
Discussion