Latest update July 4th, 2026 12:40 AM
No to unlimited benefits for former presidents
Dear Editor,
In a news article in the Kaieteur News dated 4th June,2026 and captioned, “Fmr. President’ benefits bill to be amended to allow unlimited benefits – AG” it states that the “Bill seeks to repeal the 2015 changes by the coalition government, which placed a cap on the “unlimited” benefits given to former president by the former Presidents’ Benefits (and other facilities) Act 2009.
Let’s go back, during the “reign” of Bharrat Jagdeo, he pressured the PPP to increase the President emolument. To his credit Moses Nagamootoo was the only one who opposed this move. The 2009 Act gave to former Presidents uncapped benefits as, unlimited state funded electricity, water telephone, security, household staff, transportation (meaning government provided vehicles, fuel and maintenance, Unlimited medical coverage. So from 2011 December Jagdeo was spending an average of $1.7M a month on benefits in addition to a monthly pension of $1.2M. I believe this pension is increased whenever government gives increases.
Obviously this figure would be much more than $1.7 M that given the rate of inflation.
My research indicates our former Presidents get far more than any other Caribbean president. It indicates that South Africa and Mozambique give extensive benefits but no countries except Guyana has “unlimited” encoded in the law. This is indicative of the greed and self-serving nature of the Post-Jagan Presidents and it was left to the PNC President to recognise the travesty and cap it.
Now President Irfaan not contented with what he will get, he wants MORE, MORE, MORE. So does Bharrat and Donald. Frankly I thought Donald would have been more “Jaganish” but I am so disappointed in him.
I am also disappointed at the silence of those like Clement Rohee, Hydar Ally and many of the old heads. You guys should stop going to Babu Jaan to commemorate Cheddi because you have banished him from your hearts, mind and soul.
The AG for obvious reason is pushing it hoping it would improve his chances but, guy stop dreaming, the presidency would never be yours.
As I said kudos to Granger who passed a law to cap his own pension. Then comes 2026, President Irfaan’s last term in office and lo and behold after shutting down Parliament for months and after being pressured by the Ambassadors from the ABC countries Gail Teixeira announced that the Ambassadors should have found out and they would have known that her government has set a date for parliament to meet. However, like all the contracts signed by the government this was also state secret or what I believe was yielding to the pressure.
Anyways guess what, Parliament is called and the Most important thing for the President is to ensure that the Cap is removed so he could enjoy the good life at the expense of the Guyanese tax payers. And because he is young we would be dishing out funds for a very ,very long time.
Take note supporters of the PPP nothing much for the poor, All the measures are for the rich and now a clear indication that they are all for themselves.
Remember how they screamed when the coalition gave increase to the ministers, well they kept the increase and gave more. Now Granger capped the benefit and gave less to himself and the PPP Presidents want more, more, more.
We have seen how many ministers and their children have accumulated vast wealth. Donald Ramotar when you were campaigning as Presidential Candidate you said corruption was deep rooted and you would root it out. Now you are silent.
I know so many young people want the young to rule well, we put two young men and look at their actions. Support those with a record of supporting the poor like how the genz support Bernie Saunders despite his age.
Regards,
Rajendra Bisessar
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On top of this GRAFT, there is the NIS benefits.
Are they allowed to file claim for NIS benefits also ?
When they reached mandatory retirement age.
I vaguely remembered in the old days, that age was 55 years in the Civil
Service.