Resentment rises over Jagdeo’s unlimited benefits

Revelations that Members of Parliament (MPs) are being paid a measly $420 (US$2.10) monthly for telephone and entertainment allowances while a former President is being allowed unlimited benefits and a more than generous pension, are not going down well.
Last Friday, Government stoutly resisted efforts by the Opposition in the National Assembly to cap the benefits that a former President is entitled to.

Among one of the areas that the amendment to the Presidents (Benefits and Other Facilities) Bill was centred on was that of the telephone allowance which should not exceed $5,000.

The issue of what seemed like an unlimited pension and benefits package for a former President has been a burning one and the Opposition had promised in the lead-up to the 2011 General and Regional Elections that it will be looking at ways to amend or even repeal it.
The Opposition used its one-seat majority to muscle the controversial Bill through the National Assembly.
It was under former President Bharrat Jagdeo that the original Bill was passed by the government using its majority at the time. Jagdeo readily assented to it, making him the first to benefit.