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Teixeira says no personal security or vehicle for Opposition Leader
— but law guarantees state-funded security, staff and benefits equivalent to cabinet minister
(Kaieteur News) – Responding to comments by Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed that he has not yet been provided with official state security or a government vehicle, benefits guaranteed under law, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Gail Teixeira on Wednesday said the new leader is not entitled to such.
Responding to the article published by Kaieteur News, Minister Teixeira in her response pointed to the benefits enjoyed by former presidents compared to an opposition.
Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira
She noted that former President, Bharrat Jagdeo received security and other facilities during his tenure as opposition leader because he was covered under the Former Presidents’ Benefits Act. She said, “First of all, former presidents by law under the Former President’s Benefits Act are entitled to security vehicles, and so former president Jagdeo, as leader of the opposition, was entitled to those things. Mr. Azruddin is not a former president and therefore is not entitled to the things that a former president would be entitled to.”
To this end, she stated that the leader of the opposition (Benefits and Other Facilities) Act provides that the holder of the post receives benefits equivalent to those of a cabinet minister. These include salary, allowances and state-funded security at the official residence and office, paid for by parliament.
“So, Mr. Mohammed will receive, and has received, the salary benefits, allowances and entitlements of ministers. That includes security at his home, and so that is paid for by parliament, he is not entitled to personal security. However, there’s security at the office of the leader of opposition whenever he designates the office…” she noted.
Snippet of the Leader of the Opposition (Benefits and Other Facilities) Act.
On the issue of duty-free concessions and a government vehicle, Teixeira said Mohamed has no special entitlement beyond what is provided to all parliamentarians. “He has no entitlement to a vehicle assigned to him, no entitlement to close men, if he wishes to have that, he can hire them himself. But that is not part of the benefits of the ministers of government and allowances, and therefore it’s not his entitlement,” she stated.
She added that his office is entitled to three paid staff and other operational support funded by parliament.
Leader of the Opposition, Azruddin Mohamed on arrival at the National Assembly for the budget presentation last week.
While Minister Teixeira accused the opposition leader of misleading the public and misunderstanding the law governing his office.
Under the Leader of the Opposition (Benefits and Other Facilities) Act 2010.), the opposition leader is entitled to a rent-free furnished office accommodation; medical attention including medical treatment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred by him for himself and the dependent members of his family; full-time security service at his official place of residence and at the office of the Leader of the Opposition to be provided by the Guyana Police Force; the services of a research assistant, an executive assistant/secretary, a clerical/ office assistant, a chauffeur, a personal security officer, a gardener and two domestic servants; salary, vacation allowance, and parliamentary benefits equivalent to those of a Cabinet Minister.
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Any Pension when he retires ?
What about the NIS benefits ? Provides NIS finds, record his contributions ?
What about the guns the Police seized ?
At least return them so he can protect himself and family.