Before proceeding with today’s column, the recently announced 50% increase in the salaries of Ministers has created, quite justifiably, a tsunami of criticisms and condemnation from all sections of the Guyanese society. While there was some anticipation that there would be some adjustment to the salaries of Ministers in recognition of the fact that there are now two categories of Ministers and three Vice-Presidents, one is alarmed at the extent of the increase. Ministers also enjoy a range of benefits, including duty-free concession on a motor vehicle by virtue of being Members of Parliament; chauffeur-driven State vehicle(s); housing allowance or the provision of free accommodation; free electricity, telephone and internet services; 24-hour guard service; a gardener/handyman; and maid services. When one places a value on these benefits, it is not difficult to consider that a Minister’s total monthly compensation package is in the order of millions of dollars.
To make matters worse, the Minister of State, in true style and behaviour reminiscent of that of the former Head of the Presidential Secretariat,
