Latest update January 13th, 2026 12:59 AM
Pres. Ali dismisses probe calls
…backs Susan Rodrigues amid growing wealth questions
Kaieteur News – President Irfaan Ali has dismissed calls for an investigation into the rapidly expanding asset portfolio of Tourism Minister Susan Rodrigues, insisting that the minister has sufficiently accounted for her wealth through public explanations and statutory declarations.
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Susan Rodrigues (left) with President Irfaan Ali
Speaking to reporters at a weekend event, the President said there was no basis for questioning Rodrigues, a former Minister of Housing, in relation to allegations of corruption. According to Ali, the minister has already “cleared the air” by outlining the sources of her income and submitting asset declarations to the Integrity Commission. “I think the tourism minister has made it very clear that she can account for whatever she owns. The tourism minister has also shared that with the public,” the President explained.
Further, he pointed out that since members of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) in public life were in Opposition they had been submitting their declarations to the Commission. When asked if he was satisfied with the explanation provided by the minister regarding the acquisition of her wealth over the past few years, Ali responded, “The minster has demonstrated, I have no question when the minister has demonstrated. Allegations are always made.”
Opposition parties, including We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) and the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) had called for the resignation of Minister Rodrigues over her alleged involvement in corrupt activities which led to her ownership of several assets in a short period of time.
Rodrigues strongly denied these allegations, despite admitting to the ownership of a $116M property in Florida, USA and two prime parcels of land at Peter’s Hall, East Bank Demerara. Additionally, a company, Revelle Investments LLC was registered on January 16, 2024 in the US by Rodrigues.
In addressing concerns of how her salary was able to finance the assets she owned locally and overseas, the minister explained, “Azruddin Mohamed has repeatedly and wrongly equated my assets to my public service salary. This is an unfair and asinine comparison that completely disregards how a person leverages equity to access loans from the banking system. In addition to my public service salary, I receive rental income from other properties and proceeds from our family businesses.”
With regard to the source of funds for the two plots of land at Lots 1242 and 1243 Peter’s Hall, East Bank Demerara, owned by Rodrigues, the minister noted that she acquired mortgages to facilitate the payment.
With regard to the property at Lot 946 Herstelling, East Bank Demerara where the minister said she currently resides, that house was acquired in 2016 by Denisha Bobb, her spouse. Rodrigues denied that she was the owner of a gas station at 224 Camp and New Market Streets in Georgetown. She pointed out, “The gas station has been owned by Shell Antilles and Guianas Limited since 1962 and never changed ownership. The transport for this property is part of the public record and can be easily verified. My partner is the operator of this establishment. We do not own any of the assets on that property.”
Her US property, according to her is being financed through a mortgage.
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