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OP pays Corbin’s utility Bills
Apr 10, 2010 News
…in addition to monies allocated under Parliament
Utility Bills for the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, when established, will be paid for by the state, according to Chief Whip of the People’s National Congress Reform, Lance Carberry.
But at present, hundreds of thousands of dollars are being paid in electricity bills for the party leader as well as salary for at least two household assistants.
Under the Benefit’s Bill that was passed in the House on Thursday to enshrine in law the state resourcing of the Leader of the Opposition, there is no mention of paying the electricity bill for the leader of the Opposition.
This newspaper was privy to a spate of communications made by incumbent Leader of the Opposition, Robert Corbin, to the Principal Assistant Secretary-Finance (ag) at Office of the President as well as Permanent Secretary of the Office of the President.
The communications include requests for reimbursements for electricity bills paid and authorisation of his staff to uplift cheques.
When contacted, the Principal Assistant Secretary-Finance (ag) at Office of the President refused to divulge any information and efforts to contact the Permanent Secretary proved futile.
In the Budget estimates under subsidies and contributions, office of the Leader of the Opposition is catered for.
On Thursday last, the House approved The Leader of the Opposition (Benefits and Facilities) Bill with some amendments that were presented to the House by Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh.
Dr Singh told the House that the Bill was meant to enshrine in the statutes what was in the past a custom and practice.
The resourcing of the Office of the Leader of the Opposition will, as in the past, be undertaken by the State, and is catered for in the Budget Estimates.
It was explained during the debate that the benefits were on a discretionary basis, but the administration was seeking to change this and have it enshrined in law.
This year’s estimated allocation for the Office of the Leader of the Opposition is $10.4M.
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