Opposition moves to cap benefits to former Presidents

Jan 03, 2013 News

…Govt says Jagdeo will not be affected

APNU’s shadow Home Affairs Minister and security expert, Winston Felix, says that there should be a limit to the number of “guards” assigned to former President Bharrat Jagdeo.
This newspaper on Tuesday had reported that the former President still had his full complement of security personnel, consisting of fulltime members of the Guyana Police Force. According to Felix, Carl Greenidge’s Bill which he tabled to amend the President’s Benefits and Other Facilities Act of 2009, has proposed to slice away chunks of benefits that Jagdeo is presently entitled to and limit them to a maximum of 10 years.
Felix said that the wisdom of Greenidge’s Bill is obvious. He said that there needs to be a “cap” on the benefits because there is no limit. Felix further noted that whatever he receives should be “sensible” and not run into excess or waste.
But Government Members of Parliament say that the Bill will in no way affect former President Jagdeo since Bills cannot be applied retroactively. At a recent press briefing Presidential Adviser Gail Teixeira said that the amendment could affect future Presidents.
However, given his earlier pronouncements, President Donald Ramotar may not assent to the amendment.
Kaieteur News managed to ascertain that the former President still has his full complement of security personnel, consisting of full time 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 of 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 say 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.
Carl Greenidge’s Bill, called the President’s Benefits and Other Facilities (Amendment) Bill 2012 seeks to render the conditions of the benefits acceptable and predictable and to place a limit on benefits including tax-free concessions and sets out conditions under which these benefits could be enjoyed.
With regard to utilities, Greenidge said that his Bill proposes to cap a former President’s monthly payments. Greenidge said that household staff will be limited to three persons; security personnel limited to two persons and clerical or technical staff limited to three persons all of whom must not be engaged in any political work.

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