Kaieteur News Reports | Azruddin Mohamed, leader of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, has expressed strong discontent towards President Irfaan Ali over a joke the president made during a recent oil and gas awards dinner. Mohamed condemned the remark as a “cruel and degrading mockery” of the Guyanese people, particularly emphasizing the struggles faced by the nation’s impoverished majority.
During his address at the Marriott Hotel, President Ali made a quip about cash grants that was met with laughter from the audience, described by him as “fancy people.” Mohamed stated that this incident highlights a disconnect between the president and the realities of ordinary Guyanese, arguing, “The address given by President Irfaan hurt me to my core when he said, ‘you really don’t know Guyanese people. Instead of development, I might have to say cash grant.’”
The WIN leader criticized the president’s flippancy regarding cash grants, asserting that Guyanese citizens never requested such aid for Christmas. He pointed out, “You (President Ali) are the one who lied to them about a cash grant and tricked them into voting for the PPP.” Mohamed referenced other oil-rich nations like Alaska, Norway, and Saudi Arabia that provide direct cash transfers to their citizens from oil revenues, stating that sharing the wealth generated from natural resources is a standard practice in such countries.
Additionally, he claimed that the PPP government aims to perpetuate the notion that “Guyanese are begging for handouts,” contrasting this with the dignity and respect that all citizens deserve. “You walked into poor communities hugging the people while thinking less of them, and then you go back to your fancy people and make fun of the poor,” he argued. “Respect is not for the rich alone. Power belongs to the people, and no one can mock their suffering without consequences, especially the president who is there to serve the people.”
In recent weeks, WIN has been pressuring the PPP to fulfill its campaign promise of delivering a cash grant to citizens ahead of the Christmas season. However, when questioned about the grant, President Ali recently shifted focus to the government’s long-term development goals, stating, “While you may restrict your thoughts to just a cash bonus, this government has a very elaborate agenda for the upliftment of your life.”
The president emphasized initiatives aimed at improving healthcare, education, infrastructure, and overall prosperity for citizens, asserting that his administration is committed to delivering comprehensive benefits beyond mere cash grants. As discussions continue around economic support for Guyanese, the contrasting perspectives between the government and opposition highlight the ongoing dialogue about resource management and citizen welfare in the nation.
