I continued to listen to Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo at his press conference on Thursday, pointing finger to everyone except himself and his political party, the PPP. However, it is alleged that Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo gave instruction to allocate 700 acres of prime GUYSUCO land at the Uitvlugt Estate to Paul Cheong—Chairman of GUYOIL and now, CEO of GUYSUCO. This tract of land lies directly in the path of the upcoming highway (New Road) project on the West Coast of Demerara, which will significantly boost the value of surrounding properties. The implications of such a land transfer can not be understated.
According to sources, the lease for the land includes a clause stating that failure to cultivate the property within a specified timeframe should result in repossession by GUYSUCO. If this clause is not enforced, or worse, deliberately ignored, it would reflect a blatant double standard in how policies are applied—one for the elite, and another for the ordinary citizens, especially the very sugar workers whose livelihoods are tethered to estates like Uitvlugt.
Allegedly, Paul Cheong is not just any businessman; he is a high-ranking figure closely tied to the PPP government. His elite status appears to have granted him access to opportunities that remain out of reach for the thousands of struggling sugar workers who have given their lives to the industry. Why are lands that could empower former and current sugar workers being handed over to political elites? Why is the government not channelling these fertile plots to those who need them most—workers who are ready and willing to grow a variety of crops with proper support?
I was once lucky to received a lease from NICIL which I have applied for but this same very Government had repossessed the very land through the court, which i had no issues with because it was said in interest of development and the well-being for the people the land was necessary. But here, we have a double standard policy for the elites of the PPP.
The sugar industry is in decline, and sugar workers continue to suffer under worsening economic conditions, job insecurity, and reduced income. Yet, instead of leveraging state-owned land to help these communities pivot into new agricultural ventures, the PPP administration allegedly favours a privileged few. The optics of such a deal—if proven true—are troubling. It reflects a government that prioritises insiders over the ordinary citizens it claims to represent.
Public land should serve the public interest. At a time when our agricultural sector needs revitalisation and our rural communities need hope, it is both unethical and shortsighted to allocate massive parcels of land to elites while leaving sugar workers to struggle. I call on the government and relevant oversight bodies to immediately investigate this alleged land deal. We also urge GUYSUCO to enforce its lease policies impartially and to ensure that public resources are used to uplift, not enrich, a select few.
Until there is justice for our sugar workers, any rhetoric of development or equality will ring hollow. The people deserve better—and they are watching.
