In a letter to the editor, Member of Parliament (MP) Annette Ferguson called for the resignation of Minister of Housing, Susan Rodrigues, in light of serious allegations regarding her accumulation of wealth and alleged improper dealings during her tenure at the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA). Ferguson condemned the ministerโs behaviour, which she deemed unbecoming, and criticised the government’s handling of the matter, particularly the lack of accountability shown by President Irfaan Ali and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo.
Ferguson wrote that the recent revelations surrounding Rodrigues, including those posted by social media user Melissa Atwell, should not be dismissed. She lamented that the government, rather than ensuring a fair investigation, rushed to defend Rodrigues and other involved officials, including former CHPA CEO Sherwyn Greaves. She asked, “Are there separate laws for the rich and powerful in this country?”
Fergusonโs letter pointed out that these allegations have caused significant embarrassment for the country. She stressed that President Ali, who served as Housing Minister before becoming president, was well aware of the mismanagement in the housing sector, particularly the sale of lands to close friends and allies of the PPP. She also reminded the public that Ali had been in a position to prevent many of the corrupt practices in the sector, which have led to high prices for house lots and long wait times for ordinary Guyanese citizens.
The MP also referenced the audit conducted on the CHPA in 2017, under the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) government, which revealed that private developers were allocated large tracts of land at favourable prices. She claimed that this has led to the Authorityโs departure from its core mandate, which was meant to provide affordable housing for working-class Guyanese.
Ferguson went on to express concerns that the current administration, under the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), has neglected the needs of ordinary citizens who continue to struggle with obtaining affordable land. She recalled how, in 2024, she had proposed a motion in Parliament to review the pricing of house lots, only for the PPP to vote against it. She also highlighted the obstacles faced by citizens who have applied for housing and yet remain in long queues, waiting for allocationsโmany of whom have passed away without ever receiving their land.
In light of these ongoing issues, Ferguson reiterated her call for a forensic audit of CHPAโs operations from August 2020 to February 2025. She emphasised that senior officials within the authority have been accused of corruption, including taking multiple house lots and new homes under questionable circumstances. Fergusonโs letter concludes with a direct call for President Ali to take action or resign for failing to hold his ministers accountable.
Ferguson stated, If Aliย is truly in control of his government, he should act now,ย or resign.
