Allegations of Corruption and Contract Manipulation in Guyana
Georgetown, Guyana – February 14, 2025
In recent years, significant concerns have emerged regarding the awarding of government contracts in Guyana, particularly involving prominent businessman Azruddin Mohamed and his company, Mohamed’s Enterprise. Allegations suggest that Mohamed’s Enterprise has secured numerous contracts under questionable circumstances, leading to accusations of corruption and manipulation within the procurement process.
Disputed Contract Awards
One notable instance involves the construction of the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) Headquarters. Reports indicate that Mohamed’s Enterprise was awarded this contract despite submitting a bid that was GY$210 million above the engineer’s estimate. This decision has raised questions about the integrity of the tendering process and the criteria used for awarding such contracts.
In another case, the company was involved in a dispute over the construction of a pump station at Belle Vue. The contract, valued at GY$865 million, was awarded to Tepui Group Inc., a company linked to social media personality Mikhail Rodrigues, also known as “Guyanese Critic.” The project faced significant delays and controversies, including financial disputes between Rodrigues and Mohamed, leading to questions about the qualifications and financial stability of the companies involved.
U.S. Sanctions and Tax Evasion Allegations
The situation escalated when the United States Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) imposed sanctions on Azruddin Mohamed, his father Nazar Mohamed, and Mohamed’s Enterprise. The sanctions were based on allegations of extensive bribery schemes involving Guyanese government officials to secure contracts and evade taxes. OFAC reported that between 2019 and 2023, Mohamed’s Enterprise omitted over 10,000 kilograms of gold from import and export declarations, resulting in the evasion of more than US$50 million in duty taxes.
Government Response and Ongoing Investigations
In response to these allegations, the Government of Guyana has initiated investigations into the procurement processes and the roles of various officials. Mae Toussaint Jr Thomas, the former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, was also sanctioned by OFAC for allegedly using her position to benefit Mohamed’s Enterprise in exchange for cash payments and high-value gifts. She has since been placed on leave pending the outcome of the investigations.
Public Outcry and Calls for Transparency
These developments have led to public outcry and demands for greater transparency and accountability in the awarding of government contracts. Critics argue that the integrity of Guyana’s procurement system is at stake and call for comprehensive reforms to prevent future occurrences of corruption and favoritism.
As investigations continue, the Guyanese public and international observers await further revelations and the implementation of measures to restore trust in the nation’s contracting processes.