Latest update April 25th, 2024 12:59 AM
Oct 16, 2015 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom
The Peeper forgot to ask some important questions in yesterday’s column proposing the salaries of Ministers be increased to a minimum of one million dollars per month, but that their other benefits be removed.
I am not trying to prolong this debate. I have stated most of what I had to state. I believe that Ministers should be paid properly but I do not believe they have a right to decide their own emoluments, and I do not believe that they should have awarded themselves increases when there is a Commission of Inquiry into wages and benefits in the public service. The government should have put the issue of salaries and benefits for Ministers in front of that Commission.
On the question of benefits, I forgot to ask whether there is a cap on the electricity bills of Ministers. After all the government did place a cap on the electricity bill of the former President, one of the first parliamentary acts of APNU+AFC when it took office. Are the electricity allowances for Ministers restricted to the $25,000 the government imposed on the former President?
And what about the controversial medical benefits that the PPP ministers enjoyed, and which caused someone to claim that one of the PPP ministers had an Allion (a model of a motor car) in her mouth? This was said because the alleged value of dental works to the Minister could have bought such a model motor car. Have the Ministers of APNU+ AFC rejected this medical plan or are medical benefits similar to what the PPP enjoyed payable to them?
Also what is the cost of petrol to drive around the Ministers in those fancy 4X4 vehicles that they use? How much fuel do they consume each month?
Why do ministers have to drive around in fuel-guzzling vehicles? Is it not enough that they are enjoying free transportation and chauffeur services? Why do they have to use these huge vehicles when most of their travel is likely to be to work from home? Could vehicles with smaller engine capacities not be used?
Then there is the issue of travel allowances? Are Ministers allowed a travel allowance for foreign travel? If so how much is this allowance?
Then there is the question of rental? Is there a cap on the rent paid by the State for accommodation for Ministers? If so, is there a cap on this and if so what is the amount? What happens also if a Minister owns his or her own property? Is the Minister still paid a salary?
And what about security at the homes of Ministers? Is this provided for by the State or are Ministers required to pay their own security guards? What about the maids and gardeners? How many of each are Ministers entitled to?
I believe that if the government provides answers to these questions, it would enhance public transparency and the public, many of whom are against the salaries increases that the Cabinet paid to itself, would be willing to come around to accepting the increases because the government would have shown it had nothing to hide and that in fact it was being extremely transparent.
So how about the government answering the above questions voluntarily because you can bet your bottom dollar that the media is not going to ask them.
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