New Amerindian Hostel already designed, budgeted for 2026; Minister rejects Mohamed’s ‘political mischief’

Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Sarah Browne, on Sunday dismissed allegations levelled by U.S-indicted businessman and WIN political leader Azruddin Mohamed about the condition of the Amerindian Hostel, describing his sudden show of interest as nothing more than a calculated attempt at political relevance and a distraction from his looming extradition issues.

Mohamed and his team appeared at the Princess Street, Georgetown facility on Sunday, claiming they had been “invited by occupants” and were denied access. A social media posts painted a picture of overcrowding and inadequate care.

But the Minister was unreserved in her response, charging that Mohamed was manipulating a sensitive matter for political mileage, deliberately sowing division and attempting to deflect attention from the “real issue” he is facing.

According to Minister Browne, the Amerindian Hostel has outgrown the capacity of its decades-old building — not because of neglect, but because the Ministry has a longstanding policy of refusing to turn away any indigenous person who arrives seeking shelter. In 2025 alone, more than 12,175 people passed through the hostel, many of them stranded patients, vulnerable individuals or persons seeking urgent medical help.

She underlined that the Government, and specifically President Irfaan Ali, has long recognised the pressure on the current facility. The President made a public commitment to build a new Amerindian Hostel, and this promise is already being fulfilled. The Minister revealed that land has been identified, designs for the new building have been completed, and funds to commence construction have been explicitly placed in the 2026 National Budget. She noted that Mohamed and his circle are fully aware of these developments, since the Head of State confirmed them publicly, including at a meeting in Moraikobi.

The Minister said that despite the constraints of the ageing structure, the hostel continues to provide three full meals daily, a safe place to rest, welfare services, and even air and land transportation back to hinterland regions. The Ministry has flown sick patients home, ensured counselling, funded emergency assistance through the Difficult Circumstances grant and made sure that indigenous people arriving in the city are never left abandoned. She said she has personally visited the hostel several times, spoken directly with the residents and taken actions to address shortcomings.

She emphasised that maintaining a facility that is constantly full means appliances, mattresses, furniture and plumbing require regular repairs and replacements. In recent weeks the Ministry replaced mattresses, and she indicated that financial records for dietary, janitorial and maintenance services could be made available, refuting any claim that upkeep has been neglected.

Turning to comments made online by Mohamed’s sister, Hannah, the Minister did not mince words. She said that those who grew up insulated from the daily challenges of hinterland life cannot presume to understand or speak on the lived experience of indigenous communities. She stated openly that Hannah’s remarks were purely for political gain and that neither sibling has lived the reality of indigenous struggles.

Minister Browne said Mohamed’s stunt outside the hostel was a “desperate effort” to stir ethnic and political division at a moment when his own legal situation demands scrutiny. She noted that while his page spoke theatrically about “representing” Amerindians, it ignored the fact that the hostel is a regulated Government facility, not a stage for political performance, publicity tours or campaign videos.

In her concluding remarks, the Minister drew a clear line between those who work and those who seek relevance.

“The public must understand what is happening. We represent our people, we care for our people, and we have already advanced plans to build a new hostel that meets the present and future needs of Guyana’s indigenous citizens. What Mohamed is doing is not advocacy. It is politics, and it is a distraction.”