IN a perplexing turn of events, a sizable crowd descended upon People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) headquarters at Freedom House on Robb Street Georgetown, on Wednesday, seeking funds purportedly distributed by the PPP/C government, prompted by misleading information disseminated by opposition members, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) APNU+AFC.

Communities in several areas including Plaisance on the East Coast Demerara and parts of the East Bank were affected by these fabricated rumours, leading to a surge of individuals hoping to obtain financial assistance.

Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy, took to the media to debunk these baseless claims, highlighting that such actions were characteristic of the APNU+AFC party.

He emphasised that the circumstances outside Freedom House were a direct result of misinformation spread by opposition operatives.

“What is occurring here this morning really reflects what is happening within communities by the APNU+AFC operatives who have been spreading a rumour in many of the communities that monies are being shared at Freedom House and that people should come down here today to collect their monies,” Minister McCoy explained.

He further expressed the PPP/C administration’s ongoing battle against false information propagated by the opposition through various platforms, aiming to sow discord and confusion among Guyanese citizens.

“APNU+AFC have been spreading misinformation amongst people about various grants and various activities that include the distribution of cash, and this is one of such,” Minister McCoy elaborated.

Recent information received by the government indicated that APNU+AFC activists were actively involved in orchestrating the gathering, even up to mere minutes before people began assembling at Freedom House.

“Just about 15 minutes ago, two persons from a part of South Georgetown called to say that the APNU+AFC and the PNC activist were still directing and mustering up people to come to Freedom House to collect cash today. So, this is the reason why you see a crowd out here this morning, and it is pure mischief, absolute mischief,” Minister McCoy reiterated.

Addressing the matter of financial assistance, Minister McCoy outlined the government’s initiatives, particularly the small business grant programme aimed at supporting entrepreneurs across the country. He also reminded the public of the misuse of funds by the previous administration, citing instances where money allocated for public benefit was embezzled.

As the crowd persisted, Minister McCoy urged citizens to disperse, emphasising the absence of any truth to the rumours of cash distribution at Freedom House. He implored people to seek information from credible sources and cautioned against being misled by misinformation.

Concluding his address, Minister McCoy condemned the actions of the opposition as an act of “public mischief” and assured that the government would explore legal avenues to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.

Additionally, he mentioned that the government will thoroughly investigate the issue from a legal perspective in order to prevent the recurrence of such hazardous conduct.