‘No’ to business with Mohameds- Jagdeo

Last Updated on Thursday, 6 March 2025, 21:38 by Writer

People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday scoffed at claims by well-known city businessman, Nazar “Shell” Mohamed that he and his son were being disadvantaged by certain persons in that ruling political organisation.

Alluding to the United States (US) Department of Treasury’s Office for Foreign Assets Control sanctions on the Mohameds and their businesses for allegedly evading almost GY$11 billion in taxes on gold sales, Mr Jagdeo, who is also Guyana’s 2nd Vice President said government would not put the country at risk for historical political allegiance.

“Mohammed believes that, falsely so, that the PPP, out of some perceived loyalty to him, and Azruddin Mohammed, will put at risk the future and the interest of all the people of this country for them because somehow, somewhere in the past, he played marble with Cheddi Jagan,” Mr Jagdeo said in reference to Mr Nazar saying that he had always been close to the party and had assisted in bringing it to power in 1992.

Mr Jagdeo reasoned government’s decision to cut all business ties — no further licensing of the Mohameds vessels for coastal voyages, scrapping of the foreign exchange dealer’s licence — in order to prevent Guyana’s financial system from being blacklisted. Measures, he said, could include a loss of correspondent banking relations. “The government cannot do business with the Mohameds. It exposes us to the risks of sanctions, not because we are vindictive or we hate them, but they’re the ones who got sanctioned because of the investigation. These are the consequences of the sanction, but they want us to defy United States, certain government sanction and risk the lives and livelihoods of our people, all of them in Guyana,” he told his weekly news conference.

In sharp reaction to Mr Azruddin’s reported claims of corruption by government in a meeting with rice farmers on the Essequibo coast, the PPP General Secretary challenged Mr Azruddin to address policy issues. Mr Jagdeo believed that Mr Azruddin was more caught up with providing entertainment with his outfit and fancy cars.

“He crossed the line today, and he went after the Minister of Agriculture, the person who I know has been working in the the sector day and night, day and night. Zulfikar has been working day and night to assist people,” Mr Jagdeo added. 

The PPP General Secretary said eventually the Mohameds would line up with the main opposition People’s National Congress Reform which Mr Nazar had said he had also provided financial support in the past.

He said Mr Nazar, in his statement, did not address the US allegations of tax evasion after an extended investigation. The elder businessman raised the possibility of taking legal action against the Guyana government for preventing him from doing business with him and his companies.