The government last evening took a major step towards scaling back the controversial benefits package for former presidents, which Finance Minister Winston Jordan denounced as a “vulgar” insult to hardworking taxpayers that have had to foot the bill.
In the absence of the PPP/C members, who have yet to take up the opposition seats in the National Assembly, the house passed the Former Presidents (Benefits and other Facilities) Bill 2015 after being told that it would cut waste and unnecessary expenditure.
The benefits were enacted by the then Bharrat Jagdeo-led PPP/C administration in 2009 and were defended by then President Donald Ramotar in 2013, when he vetoed a similar bill passed by the APNU and AFC to cap benefits. It is expected that President David Granger will
