GUYANA – At least two staff members of the Guyana Marketing Corporation GMC are under investigation after senior management uncovered a massive fraud at the entity which falls under the Ministry of Agriculture. The racket among other things involved the smuggling of chicken and eggs and General Manager of the GMC, Teshawna Lall in a statement said contrary to a press release issued by the Ministry of Agriculture under the guidance of the Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha the initiation of the audit and investigation was led by her.

The internal audit was commenced by Lall and her team, after repeated requests for documentation and reports yielded no results,” the General Manager said. Additionally, Lall said during the internal audit, she identified significant irregularities and discrepancies involving the accountant and the Special Projects Manager. Consequently, she requested an external audit through the Minister of Agriculture’s office. All relevant issues and concerns have been previously discussed with the Minister of Agriculture,” Lall detailed in her statement. She said: “The Guyana Marketing Corporation GMC has proactively addressed the concerns of financial irregularities by starting with an internal audit and investigation. Persistent unresolved issues, despite numerous requests for clarification, necessitated a thorough review. GMC is essential in stabilizing prices and supporting the national economy. Its commitment to maintaining stable pricing for vital commodities is aimed at mitigating the economic impact on consumers,” Lall said.

According to Lall the internal audit will meticulously review the reported irregularities and evaluate the corporation’s financial practices. “GMC remains dedicated to transparency and accountability and is committed to resolving these issues promptly. Additionally, the Guyana Marketing Corporation wishes to remind the general public that GMC is the only authorized body to import Chicken into Guyana. Furthermore, the updates on the investigation will be provided as they become available and GMC appreciates the public’s patience, trust and understanding during this process,” the statement concluded. Earlier in the day the Ministry of Agriculture sought to distance senior officials within the minister’s secretariat from the racket saying that reports online regarding the issue have unsubstantiated information. “We categorically state that the Ministry and its Head Office are not involved in the purchase or sale of chicken or eggs, as implied by the post,” the ministry said.  According to the ministry responsibility for these matters fall under the jurisdiction of the GMC, which is managed by Lall. (Kaieteur News)

Photo Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha. …[+]