Mohamed calls President Ali a “national buffoon” during visit to Albion sugar workers

Azruddin Mohamed, Leader of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party and presumptive Leader of the Opposition, earlier today visited the Albion Sugar Estate, where he sharply criticised President Irfaan Ali, referring to him as “a national buffoon representing the people” and saying Guyana “does not have a president.”

Mohamed made the remarks during an engagement with sugar workers, who outlined a range of grievances against the Government and the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), including wage reductions, worsening working conditions and unfulfilled promises.

Workers told Mohamed that their pay had been cut without explanation and claimed that an increase granted last year was later taken back. Several said they are struggling to meet household expenses amid the high cost of living.

Guyana has earned more than US$8 billion in oil revenues since first production in 2019 and is widely described as the world’s fastest-growing economy, yet almost two-thirds of the population is living in poverty, according to 2025 reports from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). Local analysts contend that the poverty rate may be significantly higher, arguing that weak data-gathering systems and outdated household surveys fail to accurately capture the true scale of economic hardship across the country.

Workers also raised concerns about alleged favouritism in the distribution of cash grants and threats of job losses, particularly among brush cutters and crop workers. They spoke of difficulties paying utility bills, affording meals and sending their children to school. One worker asked, “Where are we going in this country?” while another added that “only rich man can live in this country.”

A major point of contention was the promised work schedule and pay arrangement. Workers said they were promised six days out of crop but were offered only four. They further claimed President Ali had indicated they would receive $6,000 for four hours’ work, but were later told by GuySuCo management that the payment applied to six hours. Workers said they remain unsure whether they will be paid as promised.

Concerns were also raised about contributions and benefits under the National Insurance Scheme (NIS). One worker said that while he did not oppose cash grants for rice farmers and fisherfolk, sugar workers — who pay taxes from their salaries — should also receive the $150,000 that was given to those groups.

Addressing the gathering, Mohamed said he was there to listen to workers’ concerns, arguing that similar problems affect rice farmers, sugar workers and public servants across the country. He accused the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration of making “false promises,” including pledges to raise salaries, and said the role of the opposition is to hold the government accountable, which he pledged to do “every second of the day.”

Mohamed also criticised the non-convening of Parliament and the absence of an elected Leader of the Opposition, issues he said undermined accountability. He attributed the non-election of an opposition leader to PPP/C-elected Speaker Manzoor Nadir, noting that under Article 184(1) of the Constitution, the Speaker is required to convene a meeting of non-government members of Parliament to facilitate the election.

WIN currently holds 16 opposition seats, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) holds 12, and the Forward Guyana Movement holds one, based on the 29 seats allocated to the Opposition by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). The PPP/C government holds the remaining 33 seats in the 65-seat National Assembly.