“We don’t have anything to hide” – Mustapha on GMC discrepancy probe

– also reports on GLDA, MMA-ADA investigations

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha has disclosed that the investigation into the irregularities and discrepancies at the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) regarding an alleged egg racket, is still ongoing and that the findings would be made public when the probe is completed.
Back in September 2024, it was reported that a Special Projects Manager and an Accountant at the GMC were under investigation over irregularities and discrepancies within the agency.
The probe came following reports of an alleged racket involving chicken and eggs.
On Friday, Minister Mustapha was grilled on the status of that investigation, during the consideration of the budget estimates for his Ministry.
“All the documents were looked at by the internal auditors and they are now with the AG’s (Auditor General) office. So, we’re awaiting the report from the AG’s office,” he indicated to the Committee of Supply in the National Assembly.
In response to Opposition Member of Parliament Vinceroy Jordan, Mustapha further disclosed that the two persons under investigation are still employed by the State, with one of them still at the GMC and the other transferred to another Government agency.
“We don’t have anything to hide. We are awaiting the findings of the AG’s office and whatever recommendations is recommended, we will implement those recommendations,” the Agriculture Minister stated.

Last September, AG Deodat Sharma had confirmed that the alleged smuggling of chickens and eggs was among some 700 projects that his office is currently investigating.
The Agriculture Ministry in a statement had said that subject Minister Zulfikar Mustapha initiated the probe, though this had been disputed by GMC head Teshawna Lall, who had said it was her who initiated the probe.
Nonetheless, the Ministry had indicated that the investigation was a transparent process to ensure accountability and rectify any administrative lapses.
The Ministry went on to say it believes that the timing of a misleading social media post was unfortunate, as it seemed intended to distract from the ongoing investigation at the agency.
That social media post had alleged that fraud is taking place at the Agriculture Ministry with regard to the sale of “$150 million worth of chicken and eggs”, pointing fingers at senior personnel in the Ministry.

‘Duck egg sabotage’
Another investigation that Mustapha was asked about was the ‘duck egg sabotage’ at the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA).
In June 2024, it was reported that sabotage was suspected in the damage of a quantity of duck eggs at the GLDA hatchery.
“We know that this organisation – GLDA is very important and whatever they do, it will have an impact on the country’s livestock development and we want to ensure that we have open transparency and accountable. When that issue happened, we called in the police. There was a big investigation, a number of persons were interviewed, and the matter is right now with the DPP’s (Director of Public Prosecutions) Chamber and we’re waiting on the DPP to institute whatever they have to…,” Mustapha said in response to MP Jordan.
Based on local reports, a quantity of duck eggs was damaged and an internal investigation led GLDA officials to suspect that it was a “sabotage.”
The incident occurred while GLDA Head, Dwight Walrond, was out on Government duties for three days. Upon his return, the issue was discovered.

MMA-ADA probe
Meanwhile, Minister Mustapha also provided an update on an investigation into corruption at the Mahaica, Mahaicony, Abary – Agricultural Development Authority (MMA-ADA) in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice).
This ‘incident’ was uncovered back in September, and in a subsequent statement, the Agriculture Ministry noted that any misconduct at the MMA-ADA will be thoroughly investigated, and the necessary disciplinary actions will be taken.
According to the Minister, since then “…indeed the person who was involved was fired. He was dismissed and I believe, they’ve recouped the money – it was $500,000…”
An incident was recently uncovered and it was dealt with accordingly, and the staff was fired.
It is the duty of the MMA/ADA to uphold the principles of integrity and transparency, according to its mandate, duties and service to farmers.