Jagdeo has cost taxpayers in excess of $83M to date under his ‘Pension Package’
…Guyanese to fork over an average of $3M a month until his death
Former President of Guyana, Bharrat Jagdeo, has received as pension since demitting office in December 2011
Former President Bharrat Jagdeo
to the end of last month, some $31. This is in addition to the recently disclosed figures upwards of $45M ($45,417,950) which the taxpayers have had to spend on him for his electricity bills, transportation and security between December 2011 and last February. They were spending $1.7 million per month. This financial package was cemented in law by Jagdeo himself, when in 2009, he as head of the then Cabinet, caused to be laid in the National Assembly, the former Presidents (Benefits and Facilities) Bill, which he later assented to, bringing it into law. Under this controversial law which was vehemently opposed at the time, it costs taxpayers an average of $3M each month to support Jagdeo. His security, electricity and transportation alone, average $1.7M each month. Then there is his $1.2M pension each month. Using the monthly average of $1.2M for his security, transportation, electricity and pension, it means that Jagdeo to date, since leaving office would have cost taxpayers in excess of $83M ($83,146,535) This $83M figure does not take into account all of the other expenditure incurred by Jagdeo under his ‘Pension Package.’ Apart from what has been disclosed, Jagdeo is also entitled to, under the controversial law he enacted: expenses incurred in the provision and use of water; telephone services at the place of residence in Guyana; services of personal and household staff, including an attendant and a gardener; services of clerical and technical staff, if requested; free medical attendance and medical treatment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred by him for the medical attendance or treatment of himself and the dependant members of his family; toll-free road transportation in Guyana; an annual vacation allowance equivalent to the cost of two first class return airfares provided on the same basis as that granted to serving members of the Judiciary; and a tax exemption status identical to that enjoyed by a serving President. It was Alliance for Change (AFC), Leader Khemraj Ramjattan, who back in 2009 computed that the Former President’s pension package would amount to just over $3M monthly, which was vehemently denied by the administration at the time but has turned out to be a reality. Carl Greenidge of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) had attempted to cap the benefits, under the controversial piece of legislation by bringing amendments to the National Assembly. This was approved by the opposition using its majority but President Donald Ramotar, has never assented to it. This past week after months of delay, the Finance Minister finally acquiesced to APNU Donald Trotman’s request, to provide the National Assembly with answers as to the amount spent by the state on Jagdeo for his electricity bills, health expenses, transportation and security. The figures provided by Dr. Singh represent the money the State spent on Jagdeo on the three items (transportation, security and electricity bills) from the time he demitted office in December 2011 up to February 2014. Jagdeo’s total electricity bill for the duration stated amounted to $9,875,680. His average monthly bill is $365,766. For transportation, Jagdeo utilized $15,220,748. The State spent a total of $20,321,520 for Jagdeo’s security over the 27-month period, an average of $752,649 monthly. All security services are done by serving members of the Presidential Guard Service. The number of vehicles and guards provided to the former President were not provided.