Gov’t moves to repeal ‘flawed’ 2015 Fmr. Presidents’ Benefits law

See below the full release from the Ministry of Finance: 

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, today reintroduced in the National Assembly the Former Presidents (Benefits and Other Facilities) Bill for consideration. The legislation, passed in 2009, was repealed and replaced by the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) Coalition government in July 2015 shortly after that party took office. The 2026 Bill will repeal and replace the flawed 2015 enactment and restore the framework that was in place in 2009 with a single, predictable standard governing the benefits afforded to those who have held the nation’s highest office. 

In the 2009 legislation, benefits to former Guyanese presidents when they demitted office included the payment of all utility expenses at their residence, services of personal household staff, transportation and security, as well as free medical attention and coverage for themselves and their dependents. The 2015 amendment made by APNU/AFC, capped a number of those benefits, including limiting the provision for medical attention to an amount of $200,000 per year. In addition, according to the 2015 conditions, the former Head of State could lose their benefits if they engage in private business, paid employment or trade. In restoring the 2009 framework, the PPP/C Government is establishing a fair and equitable standard of dignity and support that every President of Guyana, past and future, rightfully deserves.

These benefits exist to reflect the continuing obligations of the presidency itself, including the representational duties and security considerations that follow a Head of State long after the term has ended. A stable framework, applied equally to every President who has served, serves the country far better than rules drafted to suit the politics of a passing moment. Government reaffirms its commitment to the responsible stewardship of public resources and to a benefits regime that is clear, consistent, and worthy of the office it serves.