–President Ali says in response to Azruddin’s ‘misrepresentations’, ‘lies’

–maintains records, declarations available to substantiate his investments

PRESIDENT Dr Irfaan Ali says he has “absolutely nothing to hide” surrounding his farming investments, as his “conscience is clear.”

The President maintained his position and transparency while dismissing allegations surrounding his farm, and accusing businessman Azruddin Mohamed of attempting to blackmail him.

Speaking during a live address on Thursday, President Ali said the existence of his farm was never a secret and described recent claims that it had been “discovered” as deliberately misleading.

“Let me once again be very clear. My farm is not a discovery. It is public information,” the President said.

He maintained that the farm had long been known to the public, including Mohamed himself, adding that its existence could be verified through established agricultural entities.

Responding to claims made by Mohamed, Ali said the US-indicted Opposition Leader had exaggerated both the size and value of the property.

“The size of the farm is not even half of what he said it is,” the President asserted, adding that he wished the investment was even “20 per cent” of the value being claimed.

NO SPECIAL TREATMENT

The President said every dollar invested in the farm could be traced through legitimate financing.

“My farm carries a huge loan, a huge loan, and everything has been disclosed to the Integrity Commission in and out of government. There is absolutely nothing to hide,” he said.

Dr Ali also made it clear that he has never received any special treatment from the State, stressing that his lease is governed by the same rules that apply to every other farmer occupying leased lands along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

“I have not sought any special treatment, any benefit or any investment by the State… Every single condition governing leased lands on the highway applies equally to my lands,” he said.

The President contrasted his circumstances with those of Mohamed, pointing to allegations and sanctions against the Opposition Leader.

“Unlike Azruddin Mohamed, who still has to account to the Integrity Commission, unlike him, who did not have to take a single loan for the wealth he accumulated, everything on my farm can be accounted for through legitimate means,” Dr Ali said.

The President also criticised what he described as hypocrisy by persons and organisations that had previously questioned Mohamed’s conduct but were now presenting him as a credible source.

“Imagine Azruddin Mohamed speaking about credibility and integrity. A man who is accused of murder, smuggling, beating people, kidnapping people, robbing the state and the people of Guyana of hundreds of billions of dollars. A man who has been indicted by a grand jury in the United States of America.

“Imagine, this is the man of conscience, the transparency bodies, many of whom, Kiskadees and others, who wrote headlines about his involvement, who accused me of protecting him, who accused the government of protecting him,” he said.

BLACKMAIL CLAIMS

President Ali also revealed that he has continued receiving messages which he believes amount to attempts at intimidation.

He disclosed that, as recently as last Friday, he received a text message warning him to “end all this madness” while also being sent an audio recording purportedly involving another individual.

“I know nothing about it, absolutely nothing about it,” he said.

According to the President, some of the material sent to him carries possible security implications, while others appear aimed at creating political mischief.

He rejected accusations that his government was responsible for Mohamed’s legal troubles, reiterating that the charges and sanctions stem from actions taken by US authorities.

“I have a duty and responsibility. The madness is not Irfaan Ali’s madness,” he said.

Dr Ali rejected suggestions that his administration was responsible for the legal difficulties facing Mohamed.

“These charges and sanctions did not come from Irfaan Ali. They did not come from the PPP/C Government. They came from the United States of America, and I have a duty and responsibility,” he said.

‘PROUD TO BE A FARMER’

Despite the controversy, Dr Ali said he remained proud of his agricultural work and intended to use it to educate Guyanese about modern farming.

“I am proud. You can call me a farmer. It’s a title I hold with honour because I am proud of everything I have done, and my conscience is clear,” he declared.

The President said he intends to conduct live broadcasts from the farm in the coming weeks to allow the public to see its operations firsthand.

“When I’m back at the farm, I’ll go live. I want people to learn. I want people to see directly from me the misrepresentation, the mischief, the deception and the lies,” he said.

He ended his remarks by reaffirming that his administration would remain focused on governance rather than political distractions.

“This People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government, this President, will continue to work relentlessly every single day for the people of this country. I’m not interested in the sideshows and the distractions,” Ali said.