Strange things have happened under PPP/C governments. Sometimes they pertain to mundane things, other times to quite extraordinary things and animal life. In 2014 there was the case of the alleged slaughter of goats at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. It raised eyebrows but there was no appetite for an investigation though there were reasonable grounds to probe abuse of the use of the facility and the unlicensed slaughter of animals. There was a blanket denial even though there was photographic and other evidence. Perhaps favour was curried and influence brought to bear.
In October of 2022, a Skeldon Hospital ambulance was discovered during the wee hours with what was suspected to be smuggled chicken. The ambulance was busted at the back of Number 78 Rampoor Village, Corentyne and it was believed that the poultry had been smuggled from Suriname. To commandeer an ambulance for such an audacious mission had to have been a caper of those in authority. Yet again, there was no satisfactory investigation and one never heard about the fate of the chicken.
This year the beef is about cattle from Brazil. The Leader of the Opposition, Azruddin Mohamed has been visiting all parts of the country exposing what he believes to be malpractices in government, shortcomings in services and plain neglect. He spent multiple days casing the Region Five abattoir at Onverwagt. It appears that Mr Mohamed had received reports that this abattoir was underutilized, raising the seminal question of whether the massive expenditure of this administration has been well thought out and providing value for money.
In a video on his Facebook page, Mr 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?” Mr Mohamed said.
Mr Mohamed also criticised the location of the facility, contending that it was built in an area that is difficult for farmers to access.
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.
Over the course of his video, Mr 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.
He then 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.
Mr Mohamed went on to allege that government officials were profiting from the operation as cattle purchased in Brazil at lower prices were being resold locally at significant mark-ups.
Cattle coming all of the way from Brazil to be slaughtered at Onverwagt? Could that be possible? No, that couldn’t be possible. Could it be? Yes, it is. In its rebuttal of Mr Mohamed, the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) confirmed that cattle from Brazil has been slaughtered at the Onverwagt abattoir.
“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.
“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 GLDA added.
The GLDA and the Ministry of Agriculture have to go further than this. Aside from the questions of whether the Onverwagt facility is in adequate use and justifies its investment, the GLDA must explain why cattle is being brought from Brazil. Is it that Brazil cattle is being slaughtered for the local market to taste? Slaughtering could have occurred in Lethem or some facility closer to Bonfim. Aside from the cost of moving cattle over that distance, there is the impact on the animals and the required compliance with the Animal Health Act of 2011 and any number of regulations and protocols.
What is the exact arrangement that the GLDA speaks of? Who in Brazil is exporting cattle to Guyana for slaughter at Onverwagt and why? How much head of cattle has been brought here and over what period? What price is the abattoir charging for the slaughtering? Is this cattle then sold on the local market and at what price? This is the level of transparency and accountability that is required from the government and its agencies like GLDA.
Discussion