Minister of Public Affairs in the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy, has accused opposition party Alliance For Change (AFC) and its leader Nigel Hughes of exploiting vulnerable indigenous Venezuelan migrants for political purposes and then abandoning them.
In a comment to the News Room, McCoy charged that Hughes and the AFC lured the migrants to Georgetown as part of a deceptive scheme to entrap the government, using them as “political pawns in a web of deception.”
He further claimed that the opposition’s actions were motivated by an attempt to gain political mileage, which ultimately failed after the “shenanigans were fully exposed.”
“It is apt to note that having used the group of vulnerable indigenous Venezuelan migrants, luring them to GT as political pawns in a web of deception in hopes of entrapping the government and having had their shenanigans fully exposed, Nigel Hughes and the AFC, have now backpedaled from their public commitment to look after the welfare of the same group of migrants, specifically to provide food and accommodation for them,” McCoy stated.
The group of migrants receiving hampers last Friday evening
According to McCoy, the AFC has abandoned the migrants, leaving them at the doorstep of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs Friday. He described this as a blatant act of neglect once the opposition realised there was no further opportunity for political gain.
“It is abundantly clear from this latest play of cheap politicking… and from the sordid history of lies and deception, that Hughes and the AFC can never be entrusted with public responsibilities. Once there was no opportunity for political mileage, they then resorted to the abandonment of this vulnerable group,” McCoy declared.
The Minister’s strong condemnation underscores the government’s position that the opposition’s actions were opportunistic and harmful to the migrants. Efforts by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs to provide support for the migrants are ongoing.
Lieutenant Colonel Earl Edghill, aide-de-camp to President Irfaan Ali, Monday provided a detailed account to clarify the situation after Mr Hughes showed images of the group of people in Georgetown Monday.
According to Edghill, last Thursday during President Irfaan Ali’s visit to Essequibo, the President engaged with residents, many of whom requested assistance and took photos with him. At no point, however, did the President or anyone associated with him invite individuals to travel to Georgetown.
The following day, Friday, a group of Warrau people unexpectedly turned up at State House, claiming they had been instructed by the President to come to the capital. Lieutenant Colonel Edghill, upon learning of the situation, immediately contacted President Ali, who made it clear that no such instruction was given.
Nevertheless, humanitarian assistance was swiftly provided as directed by the President.
The group, which consisted of approximately 30 adults and 15 children—some as young as newborns and others up to nine years old—was taken to the One Guyana kitchen located opposite State House, where they were provided with meals. In addition to being fed, they received hampers of food and essential supplies, again on the President’s instruction.
Edghill further explained that he coordinated with the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to assist in transporting the group back to Essequibo. They were taken to Parika, where they were provided dinner and overnight accommodation. The following morning, the group received breakfast, financial assistance, and transportation back to their home communities in Essequibo.
“It is appalling to now hear and see that the same set of individuals are in town making outlandish claims,” Edghill said, expressing frustration at the situation. “I feel as though our assistance has been wasted and we are being targeted without cause.”
The government’s response highlights its commitment to addressing humanitarian needs while firmly rejecting attempts to politicise the situation.
The misleading claims propagated by Hughes and the AFC are viewed as a coordinated and nasty attack.
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