Unlimited Benefits for Former Presidents as Ordinary Guyanese Struggle to Make Ends Meet

The Government is seeking to guarantee former presidents a lifetime of extensive publicly funded benefits, including unlimited household utilities, medical care, security, staff and transportation, even as thousands of Guyanese struggle with low wages, rising living costs and gaps in essential public services.

That is the stark contrast confronting the country as the National Assembly prepares to debate the Former Presidents (Benefits and Other Facilities) Bill 2026 on Wednesday, November 11.

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The proposed legislation would restore a benefits framework that removes several restrictions imposed under the 2015 law. It has provoked strong objections from trade union representatives, opposition politicians and members of the public, including former Minister and Parliamentarian Annette Ferguson, who has taken her opposition directly to the gates of the Office of the President.