Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

Cadillac lifestyle in Donkey-Cart economy

In excess of $50 million of taxpayers’ money has already been expended on Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo after only four months in Executive Office and this is in spite of having heavily criticised those desirous of leading a “Cadillac and exorbitant lifestyle” in a “donkey-cart economy”.

Ironically, it was Nagamootoo who best exemplified the previous scorn for “squandermania” and vowed to cut excess spending of public funds and lead a lean and clean lifestyle.

It was also Nagamootoo, during his tenure as an Opposition Member of Parliament (MP), who introduced the term “fat cats” in the National Assembly which he used to describe those public employees and political appointees benefiting from super salaries that were allegedly “bleeding” the treasury.

The Prime Minister’s residence

But the stark reality is that upon ascending to office, the first demand made by the Prime Minister was to have the Prime Minister’s Residence and the Office of the Prime Minister rehabilitated – a task which will cost the Government tens of millions of dollars. The two buildings, which were humbly occupied by former Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, were deemed unsatisfactory by the man who professed deep concerns about the poor and ordinary citizens of the country.

“It was deplorable…I probably wouldn’t put my dogs there, I think they would die,” he had told media operatives.

“Deplorable”

Secondly, Nagamootoo exclaimed that the Office of the Prime Minister was inadequate and he refused to work out of the building which was, again, humbly occupied by the former Prime Minister for a number of years. Consequently, additional millions of dollars will be expended to ensure the Office is up to par with Nagamootoo’s demands.

The road to Nagamootoo’s private residents after repairs

The Prime Minister also wasted no time in having the road to his private residence repaired, declaring that the street was in a deplorable state. Indeed so, the road was in dreadful condition, but the other roads in the same community which were equally appalling went unattended. Therefore, the cost associated with the road works which were done to this one stretch of road was purely for the PM’s convenience. Of course, this cost millions of dollars. It was also reported that Nagamootoo had another hefty sum of money expended to repair a bridge and the roadway embankment leading to his private abode.

But the Prime Minister did not stop there. It was he who made the Cabinet proposal to have a whopping salary increase for all Government Ministers.

“All I asked for was $100 [USD] increase more on the Prime Minister’s salary,” Nagamootoo admitted to the National Assembly on August 22. He is already earning a monthly salary of some $1 million. In addition to that figure, some $500,000 is set aside for benefits on a monthly basis.

Even in light of all that spending, Nagamootoo did not seem to think that he alone was “bleeding” the treasury.

The Prime Minister will also now benefit from the purchase of a $22 million luxury Land Cruiser which is to be added to his existing fleet of 22 vehicles. Certainly, Nagamootoo is ensuring that for the next five years he will be enjoying quite a sybaritic lifestyle.

Nagamootoo defended this ostentatious purchase by declaring that the luxury vehicle will be used to “reach out to those who voted for the Prime Minister”. It is presumed that Nagamootoo was referring to the need to show up to the rice farmers and cane cutters who supported the AFC can during the last elections.

The spending did not stop there. An additional $10 million is set aside for the purchase of furniture and equipment, while another $4 million is allocated for the refurbishing of furniture and equipment.

The Prime Minister will also now benefit from the purchase of a $22 million luxury Land Cruiser which is to be added to his existing fleet of 22 vehicles

Also, some $10 million was budgeted under the Office of the Prime Minister for “minor works”, which Nagamootoo said will be distributed to assist in various projects undertaken by the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU); the Salvation Army and the Diocese of Guyana, among others.

Additionally, a whopping $15.7 million is set aside for “other expenses”.

Apart from that, reports indicate that Nagamootoo has increased the number of security guards assigned to him- another burden on the treasury.

The A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration’s Cabinet of 26 members has already been deemed a “monstrosity and financial burden” by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Opposition. Therefore, with double the number of Ministers, there will most naturally be a significant increase in the amount of taxpayers’ monies spent on salaries, benefits and other entitlements.

Each of the 26 Ministers appointed thus far is entitled to vehicles, free gas/diesel, free telephone, free electricity and free Internet service, free housing or housing allowance, water, domestic staff and additional office staff, among other benefits and privileges.