An audit will soon be conducted on leases awarded to farmers at the Mahaica-Mahaicony Abary-Agriculture Development Authority (MMA-ADA) Scheme in Onverwagt, Region Five, amid concerns over corrupt practices.
The MMA-ADA is responsible for managing drainage and irrigation works in Region Five and for the allocation of state land between the Berbice and Mahaica Rivers.
Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha announced the audit during a visit to the MMA-ADA office last Thursday as he addressed complaints from farmers regarding their plots being leased to other individuals.
Minister Mustapha reiterated the government’s commitment to combating corruption, stating, “We have a zero-tolerance approach to corrupt practices within agencies.” He further explained, “We will engage a team to conduct an audit of all the leases that were issued over the last five years, how they were issued, and who are the persons that were given these leases.”
During the meeting, it was revealed that some individuals residing overseas have been renting out land leased to them by the government. Minister Mustapha condemned this practice and stressed that such actions will not be tolerated. He emphasized the government’s dedication to accountability and transparency, urging farmers to report any improper solicitations by officials.
He said, “If there are any farmers here who have been approached by any officer and were encouraged to do favours to get land, let me know about it. I will deal with it.”
The minister also highlighted recent efforts to reduce land rental and drainage and irrigation (D&I) charges. He noted that these fees have been lowered from $15,000 to $3,500 per acre following a successful motion in Parliament. “It is wrong that the government is charging $3,500 per acre of land and other people are renting out these same lands for $30,000,” he stated. “That does not make any sense because the benefit isn’t going down to the farmers.”
Minister Mustapha also clarified common misconceptions among farmers regarding claims of having “bought the rights” to the land, emphasizing that such claims are illegal. Instead, he explained that farmers are being “facilitated” on state land.
Additionally, the minister revealed plans to acquire an extra 15,000 acres of land for farmers, particularly in Regions Five and Six, to further support agricultural development in the area.
