Nigel Hughes misleads on group of Warraus in Georgetown – State House official sets record straight

The government has categorically refuted claims made by Nigel Hughes and the Alliance for Change (AFC) that a group of Warrau people was invited to Georgetown and subsequently abandoned.

Lieutenant Colonel Earl Edghill, aide-de-camp to President Irfaan Ali, provided a detailed account to clarify the situation after Mr Hughes showed images of the group of people in Georgetown Monday.

According to Edghill, last Thursday during President Irfaan Ali’s visit to Essequibo, the President engaged with residents, many of whom requested assistance and took photos with him. At no point, however, did the President or anyone associated with him invite individuals to travel to Georgetown.

The following day, Friday, a group of Warrau people unexpectedly turned up at State House, claiming they had been instructed by the President to come to the capital. Lieutenant Colonel Edghill, upon learning of the situation, immediately contacted President Ali, who made it clear that no such instruction was given.

Nevertheless, humanitarian assistance was swiftly provided as directed by the President.

The group, which consisted of approximately 30 adults and 15 children—some as young as newborns and others up to nine years old—was taken to the One Guyana kitchen located opposite State House, where they were provided with meals. In addition to being fed, they received hampers of food and essential supplies, again on the President’s instruction.

Edghill further explained that he coordinated with the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to assist in transporting the group back to Essequibo. They were taken to Parika, where they were provided dinner and overnight accommodation. The following morning, the group received breakfast, financial assistance, and transportation back to their home communities in Essequibo.

“It is appalling to now hear and see that the same set of individuals are in town making outlandish claims,” Edghill said, expressing frustration at the situation. “I feel as though our assistance has been wasted and we are being targeted without cause.”

The government’s response highlights its commitment to addressing humanitarian needs while firmly rejecting attempts to politicise the situation.

The misleading claims propagated by Hughes and the AFC are viewed as a coordinated and nasty attack.