12 armed ranks guard Jagdeo round the clock

Jan 01, 2012 News

 
Over a year after he demitted office Former President Bharrat Jagdeo continues to live like he’s still the head of state, especially when it comes to his security detail.
No wonder opposition politicians are clamouring for a review of his benefits, which they claim are placing a heavy burden on the taxpayers of the country.

Flashback: Jagdeo inspecting a Guard of Honour by police ranks while he was Head of State.

Kaieteur News has managed to ascertain that the former President still has his full complement of security personnel, consisting of fulltime members of the Guyana Police Force.
This situation is even more troubling especially when it is taken into account that the Guyana Police Force is short on ranks to effectively protect citizens.
At present the force is operating with approximately 3500 ranks to serve a population of about 720,000 persons.
This works out to about one rank to every 205 persons.
But reliable sources have informed that Jagdeo alone currently has a total of 12 guards on a 24 hours basis.
There are eight who are split up over two 12 hours shifts at his mansion in Pradoville 2 (Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara) while four others act as personal security to the former President.
Contrast this with the fact that the Leader of the Parliamentary Opposition has claimed that the government is failing in its obligation when it comes to the provision of security for that office.
An act of parliament mandates the government to provide a “rent free office” for the Opposition Leader, and security for both the provided office and the home of the Opposition Leader.
However, that provision is lacking, as $1M is owed to a security firm for services offered to the Opposition Leader for the period January-June of the year.
A Partnership for National Unity officials noted that security service from the police was not authorized until June last year, hence the need to solicit private services.