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Mahipaul slams govt.’s move to restore unlimited benefits for fmr. presidents
…says proposal “unconscionable”
(Kaieteur News) – A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament (MP) Ganesh Mahipaul has raised concerns about the move by the Irfaan Ali-administration to repeal the Former Presidents (Benefits and Other Facilities) Act of 2015, to bring back uncapped and unlimited benefits to the country’s former presidents.
In a statement this week, Mahipaul labelled the move by as “unconscionable” and an “insult to hardworking, taxpaying Guyanese, a blatant eye-pass to the public, and an open invitation for the abuse of state resources.”
Parliamentarians will gather today at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre in Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, where the Former President’s (Benefits and Other Facilities) Bill will be read for the first time when the National Assembly convenes.
A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament Ganesh Mahipaul.
According to the Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall SC, the 2026 Bill seeks to provide unlimited benefits to the country’s former presidents by repealing the 2015 changes that were made to the 2009 former Presidents’ Benefits (and other facilities) Act 2009 by the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition government.
Back in 2015, the APNU government amendments repealed the former open-ended 2009 Act and placed specific caps on state-funded benefits for former Heads of State. Nandlall this week stated that the Bill that will be tabled contains minor changes aimed at bringing normalcy to the benefits all former presidents should receive and also ensure that future presidents receive the same package when they retire.
For his part, Mahipaul noted that the 2015 Act did not deny former presidents reasonable benefits and protections. “Rather, it introduced transparency, accountability, and sensible limits on benefits funded by taxpayers. Repealing those safeguards and returning to a system of uncapped and unrestricted benefits would take Guyana backwards at a time when citizens are demanding greater accountability in the management of public resources,” he stated.
The opposition MP noted that while APNU is not opposed to former presidents receiving benefits that reflect the dignity of the office they once held, those benefits must be transparent, justifiable, and subject to reasonable limits.
“If the existing caps established in the 2015 Act require revision to reflect current realities and costs, then let that discussion take place. What we cannot support is a return to unlimited benefits funded by the taxpayers of Guyana,” he added.
Mahipaul noted that the proposed Bill should not be rushed through the National Assembly but instead be referred to a Special Select Committee for meaningful consultation to take place among all parliamentary parties and relevant stakeholders. He said this would allow for careful examination of the legislation, consideration of appropriate revisions to existing benefit levels, and the crafting of a modern framework that balances respect for former presidents with accountability to taxpayers.
Registering APNU’s disapproval of the repeal of the 2015 Act, Mahipaul noted, “The goal should not be political advantage. The goal should be the creation of a fair, transparent, and sustainable piece of legislation that can earn the unanimous support of the National Assembly and the confidence of the Guyanese people.”
Moreover, the opposition MP outlined that the former presidents of Guyana currently receive a monthly pension of approximately $2.2M. In addition to this pension, the 2015 Act provides a number of benefits and amenities at the expense of the State.
These benefits include: utility allowances of up to $25,000 per month each for water, electricity, and telephone services; services of one attendant and one gardener; clerical and technical staff, where requested and medical treatment and reimbursement of medical expenses for the former President, spouse, and children under the age of 18, subject to the provisions of the Act.
Other benefits include: full-time personal security, including up to two security personnel and the services of the Presidential Guard Service at the former president’s residence; up to two State-owned and maintained motor vehicles; toll-free transportation and an annual vacation allowance equivalent to the cost of two first-class return airfares.
“These benefits are provided in addition to the monthly pension received by former Presidents. The PPP/C is moving to the National Assembly to make the benefits unlimited. Is this fair to the taxpayers of this country?” Mahipaul further questioned.
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Blunt of the day
Sports
Features/Columnists
Sir. Ronald Sanders
The GHK Lall Column
Weekend Cartoon
Parliament of Guyana opens after the ABC,EU countries intervened. And
Gail didn’t like that. The gall of Nandlall, the AG. He only thinking of the
PERKS the PRESIDENTS must receive. ENHANCED PERKS. With these
proposed perks, why would anyone else wants to be a MP when Parliament
and Nadir, the gatekeeper of Parliament, think otherwise-just sit on our BUTTS
and be paid for no work. This is why Ali is staying 5 miles away from Azruddin-
and expressly called for Unity- whilst disengaged with Opposition Leader.
Now, all the MP’s will run for President instead. Kick Nandlall’s bill out the
door, with him holding on to it. The Poor suffers at the hands of the PPP.