Opposition’s Motion to repeal Former President’s Act, grandstanding - HPS
Georgetown, GINA, April 5, 2012
Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon today dismissed a Motion that will be laid in Parliament by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament and former Finance Minister, Carl Greenidge as mere “grandstanding”.
The Motion seeks to repeal the provisions of the Former President’s (Benefits and Other Facilities) Act 2009.
“I can’t imagine a former minister, who served in some very difficult times, having lost the regard for due process,” he said.
The HPS explained that there is nothing a Parliamentary Motion can do to amend or repeal extant legislation.
The Former President’s Act enshrines in legislation, the benefits to former Presidents of Guyana in a statute-based approach and stipulates that “every person who having held the office of President and ceased to hold that office by virtue of provisions of Article 92 of the Constitution or otherwise shall, during the remainder of his lifetime, be entitled to the following:
- Payment of expenses incurred in the provision and use of water electricity and 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 treatment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred by him for the medical attendance or treatment of himself and the dependant members of his family
- Full time personal security and presidential guard service at the place of residence
- Motor vehicles provided and maintained by the state and
- annual vacation allowance and tax exemptions enjoyed by a serving President.
