Stand against ‘eye-pass’

Jul 03, 2026 Editorial, News

Editorial…

(Kaieteur News) – Sit quietly and take whatever new outrage the PPPC Government dreams up, puts into motion. Or, standup in the streets and let their anger be known. Felt by all those who add to the list of ‘eye-pass’ piled with such frequency on citizens. This is the choice that is before Guyanese feeling the squeezes of living in this country, with a government that is first about its own interests. The people are crying out, sharing how their crushing circumstances leave them hopeless and furious. The PPPC Government carries on without pause. Its inner circle of cabals and cronies enjoy a wonderful living, while citizens struggle. The outrages continue with new assaults on their dignity, reducing their options for curing their hard and harder situations. There is a push to take to the streets in protest to let those with power in their hands know where they stand. To apply some degree of pressure on those who also have the power of the purse in their control, but only use it for their benefit.

The Former Presidents’ Facilities and Benefits Bill (Unlimited Benefits Bill) currently working its way through Guyana’s parliament is a glaring example of the greedy, disgusting, nature of this government. Every Guyanese president, past and present, is doing better than most citizens. Still, there is this Unlimited Benefits Bill that disgraces the government, and insults the sufferings of Guyana’s poor. Men were making millions, continue to collect millions monthly, and still there is a grab for more for them. It is likely to be millions more, since there is going to be no cap. Unlimited is uncapped, and outside of legitimate expenses, it could pave the way for another opportunity for self-help. A government that cares about the struggles of the weaker, the many who are falling down in oil rich Guyana would put them first. There would be looking for opportunities on how to make their lot better. Instead, there is this plan to further feather the nests of the already overstuffed with more rich considerations from the national Treasury, as backed by law.

A government that thinks like that is more than callous. It is the owner of a craven spirit, a grab-and-get mentality that knows no limits. We at this paper invite Guyanese to challenge themselves with an honest question. Which leaders in which governments in which countries would dream up something in the nature of an Unlimited Benefits Bill for their First Citizens? Heartless leaders are required for such a concoction to be made an instrument of law. Ruthlessness is having a free hand, while many in the ranks of the smaller and lesser citizens are scrambling to cope, are often without. It is now obvious that the PPPC Government is past shame, has neither moral compass nor spiritual anchor that holds tight to what would benefit the people.

In this country where the cost-of-living is on unending upward spirals, an Unlimited Benefits Bill fits well into the category of murderous. Citizens are tired from gasping to make a living, and their government works harder at kneeing them on the neck, cutting off whatever remaining breath is in them. The Unlimited Benefits Bill for former presidents is a cunning effort to fill already overflowing pockets. For every additional dollar that goes to a former leader, there is a citizen in this country that is short by one more dollar.

Parliament will pass this Bill, which is the advantage of the majority. The president is waiting eagerly waiting with pen at the ready. Guyanese have to make up their minds. How long will they allow these vulgar governmental excesses to keep coming, to go on happening. Staying quiet is endorsing. Shrugging and moving on is contributing to the outrages, and cheating one’s own prospects. The oil wealth is not being fairly distributed, not reaching those who need it. Silence is not a remedy. The oil money is being squandered by the PPPC government and its family of favourites. Sitting on the fence is the worst option, nothing but self-defeating.

Governments all over the world respond to marching feet, impatient voices raised in public. The PPPC Government is no different. Guyanese have their choices before them.

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‘eye-pass’, Editorial, Outrage, PPPC

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