The Trades Union Congress (TUC) today said it was unconscionable for former President Bharrat Jagdeo to reward himself with a “Cadillac lifestyle” while ordinary persons struggled to make ends meet.
Its denunciation of the former President was contained in a press release addressing a number of local issues and comes in the aftermath of disclosures in Parliament on how much the state is paying to upkeep Jagdeo.
An answer circulated in Parliament on Thursday revealed that the state has paid $45.4M in expenses for former President Bharrat Jagdeo in the 27 months since he demitted office and this appears to include the cost of a medivac flight to Florida.
In its statement, the GTUC said it is troubled that while the law assures every citizen healthcare there isn’t proper universal health care.
“The masses have to pray not to fall sick while government officials use our tax-dollars to access the best healthcare in developed countries. This disparity in access breaches the sense of nationhood/oneness the people have been assured of. The same can be said for the right to pension as government officials, one of whom is former President Jagdeo, continue to run-up exorbitant healthcare expenses, pension and post presidential benefits on the backs of the working poor”, the TUC said.
It added that while the taxpayers pay millions for his electricity each year they are being disconnected because they cannot afford to pay $5,000.
“It is unconscionable …that any person entrusted the privilege of the people to manage their affairs to reward themselves with a Cadillac lifestyle in this donkey cart economy. It is an abuse of the taxpayer’s money and their trust”, the TUC argued.
The payments by the state were made under the controversial Former Presidents (Benefits and Other Facilities) Act for electricity, transportation and security. This works out to around $1.6M per month mainly for Jagdeo’s Pradoville Two residence.
Details on Jagdeo’s expenses were circulated in Parliament in response to questions which had been submitted several months ago by APNU MP Desmond Moses.
