Latest update April 20th, 2024 12:25 AM
Jul 20, 2014 News
At least one regional economy that vastly outstrips Guyana’s pays its former Head of State a smaller pension than what Guyana pays its former Head of State.
Jamaica has an economy of US$15B but pays its former Prime Ministers, roughly US$3,500 per month as pension, while the other benefits are capped. This is not the case in Guyana.
Under Jamaica’s laws, the Prime Minister when leaving office is entitled to benefits such as a gardener, a chauffeur, secretary, security and a maid but no more than one of these.
Trinidad and Tobago, which has an economy of US$24B as against Guyana’s US$2.8B pays its former Prime Ministers US$8,000. Even the medical benefits are prescribed with caps.
The United States of America, with an economy worth in excess of US$16 trillion dollars will pay President Barrack Obama, US$16,800 dollars a month in pension and provide Secret Service protection, and reimbursements for staff, travel, mail, and office expenses.
Guyana with an economy of US$2.8 B pays its former Head of State, US$6,000 per month.
Under Guyana’s Former Presidents Benefits (and other Facilities) Act a president upon retirement is entitled to payment in respect of the expenses incurred in the provision and use of water; electricity and telephone services at the place of residence in Guyana; services of personal and household staff, including an attendant and a gardener; services of clerical and technical staff, if requested; free medical attendance and medical treatment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred by him for the medical attendance or treatment of himself and the dependant members of his family; full-time personal security and services of the Presidential Guard Service at the place of residence; the provision of motor vehicles owned and maintained by the State; toll-free road transportation in Guyana; an annual vacation allowance equivalent to the cost of two first class return airfares provided on the same basis as that granted to serving members of the Judiciary; and a tax exemption status identical to that enjoyed by a serving President.
There is no limit to the number of security personnel, no limit to the number of cars for transportation, no limit to medical bills and no limit to telephone and electricity services.
These are all separate and distinct from the pension payable to the former president.
When the law was debated and approved by the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) dominated Parliament in May 2009, the then Shadow Finance Minister, Winston Murray, while welcoming the move to formalize what is paid out to former Presidents had lamented the uncapped nature of the benefits.
Recently, the National Assembly was informed that the State had spent in excess of $45 million ($45,417,950) on Jagdeo’s light bill, transportation and security between December 2011 and February at an average of $1,682,146 per month.
This massive expenditure paid for using your tax dollars was cemented in Law by Jagdeo himself, when in 2009, he as head of the then Cabinet, caused to be laid in the National Assembly the Former Presidents (Benefits and Facilities) Bill, which he later assented to, bringing it into law.
Under this law which was vehemently opposed at the time, it costs taxpayers an average of $3M each month.
His security, electricity and transportation alone make up an average of $1.7M each month which must be added to the monthly pension of $1.2M.
Jagdeo is also entitled to, under the Act, provision and use of water; telephone services at the place of residence in Guyana; services of personal and household staff, including an attendant and a gardener; services of clerical and technical staff, if requested; free medical attendance and medical treatment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred by him for the medical attendance or treatment of himself and the dependant members of his family; toll-free road transportation in Guyana; an annual vacation allowance equivalent to the cost of two first class return airfares provided on the same basis as that granted to serving members of the Judiciary; and a tax exemption status identical to that enjoyed by a serving President.
Alliance for Change (AFC), Leader Khemraj Ramjattan, back in 2009 had computed that the former President’s pension package would amount to just over $3M monthly. This was vehemently denied by the administration at the time.
Carl Greenidge of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) moved a motion to cap the benefits, by bringing amendments to the National Assembly. The motion was passed in the House but President Donald Ramotar has never assented to it.
From December 2011 to February 2014 Jagdeo’s total electricity bill amounted to $9,875,680; the transportation cost was $15,220,748; while security cost $20,321,520.
Country | Size of Economy | Pension Paid |
USA | US$16 Trillion | US$16,000 |
Trinidad and Tobago | US$24 Billion | US$8,000 |
Jamaica | US$15 Billion | US$3,500 |
Guyana | US$2.8 Billion | US$6,000 |
Where is the BETTER MANAGEMENT/RENEGOTIATION OF THE OIL CONTRACTS you promised Jagdeo?
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