Georgetown: Soon to be Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo said he will not be accepting his $500,000 salary in that capacity, but will instead remain comfortable with the pension he is currently receiving as a former President.
Jagdeo made the statement in passing while speaking to Journalists recently, and when pressed further, disclosed that he was comfortable enough with his current financial staus quo.
As Opposition Leader, Jagdeo would have received a salary above $500,000. Additionally, the Office of Opposition Leader includes access to a fully staffed office, a vehicle and personal bodyguard. In this year’s budget, Government has allocated some $15 million towards to Opposition Leader’s Office. Asked about this, whether he was satisfied with the amount, Jagdeo said he will most certainly have to make do.
The A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change Government recently slashed the benefits enjoyed by former Presidents.
The Former Presidents (Benefits and Other Facilities) Bill 2015 provides a capped allowance of $75,000 for water, electricity and telephone expenses each month altogether, and limits personal household staff of former Presidents to three and clerical and technical staff to three.
Former Presidents and their children will also be subject to a financial limit of $200,000 per annum in free medical attention and treatment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred by a former President himself and his children below the age of 18 years. In addition, the former President will not be allowed more than two motor vehicles owned and maintained by the State.
In addition, their security detail cannot exceed two persons, including the services of the Presidential Guard Service at the residence. The former Guyanese leaders will now only receive an annual vacation allowance equivalent to the cost of two first-class return tickets provided on the same conditions applicable to the Judges of the Supreme Court of Judicature. The benefits will not be subjected to any tax exemptions, concessions or privileges.
Prior to the new Bill, former Heads of State were allowed to use basic services at the expense of the State. These included water, electricity and telephone services.
Minister of Governance and Patrimony Raphael Trotman had indicated last week that the Bill was not retroactive and that Government was not interested in what was already spent.
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