Former Presidents’ benefits face tapering

The bill to cap the benefits of former presidents which will be tabled in the National Assembly on Thursday differs little from the one passed in 2013 but not signed into law by then President Donald Ramotar except that it increases the amount for utilities to $75,000 per month.

Among the provisions of the 2012 bill which was piloted by then opposition parliamentarian Carl Greenidge, was a $5000 per month cap each for water, electricity and telephone services at the residence of a former president in Guyana. The Former Presidents (Benefits and other Facilities) Bill 2015, however, increases this amount to $25 000 each per month for water,