Jagdeo's pension package is an abuse of taxpayers' money - GTUC

Jagdeo’s pension package is an abuse of taxpayers’ money – GTUC

Jul 14, 2014 News

Former President of Guyana Bharrat Jagdeo

The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) says that it is troubled that while the law assures every citizen healthcare, there remains an absence of proper universal health in Guyana.

“The masses have to pray not to fall sick while government officials use our tax-dollars to access the best healthcare in developed countries…This disparity in access breaches the sense of nationhood/oneness the people have been assured of.”

GTUC notes too that the same can be said for the right to pension of government officials, one of whom is former President Bharrat Jagdeo, who continues to run-up exorbitant healthcare expenses, pension and post presidential benefits on the backs of the working poor.

“While the taxpayers pay millions for his electricity per month, they are being disconnected because they cannot afford to pay their $5,000…It is unconscionable and criminal that any person who is entrusted the privilege of the people to manage their affairs, to reward themselves with a Cadillac lifestyle in this donkey cart economy…It is an abuse of the taxpayer’s money and their trust.”

“The plantation economy and lifestyle the PPP seeks to impose on this society is a departure from the sovereignty of this nation…We must join with forces, internal and external, to ensure we live this nation’s ideals as outlined and protected in its laws.”

Since demitting office in December 2011, former President of Guyana, Bharrat Jagdeo, has received as pension totaling $37.2M up to the end of last month.

This is in addition to the recently disclosed figures upwards of $45M ($45,417,950) which the taxpayers have had to spend on his electricity bills, transportation and security between December 2011 and last February.

This financial package 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 controversial law, which was vehemently opposed at the time, it costs taxpayers an average of $3M each month to support Jagdeo.

Using the monthly average for his security, transportation, electricity and pension, it means that Jagdeo to date, since leaving office would have cost taxpayers in excess of $89.9M

This $89.9M figure does not take into account all of the other expenditure incurred by Jagdeo under his ‘Pension Package.’

Apart from what has been disclosed, Jagdeo is also entitled to, under the controversial law he enacted: expenses incurred in the 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.