Guyana Tables Bill to Restore Unlimited Benefits for Former Presidents

This opinion column says the PPP/C is moving to restore uncapped benefits for former presidents, reversing limits set in 2015, and argues that taxpayers should not face unlimited costs. It calls for a middle ground: reasonable caps on security, staff and utilities, but uncapped medical care to preserve dignity and protection.

In an opinion piece, social commentator GHK Lall urged Guyana’s four living former presidents — Sam Hinds, Bharrat Jagdeo, Donald Ramotar and David Granger — to publicly renounce any benefits under the proposed Former Presidents (Benefits and Other Facilities) Bill. He welcomed the bill’s deferment and said a rejection would show solidarity with citizens facing economic hardship and growing criticism of the plan.

Guyana’s National Assembly is set to debate a bill that would restore lifetime publicly funded benefits for former presidents, including utilities, medical care, security, staff and vehicles, without the limits set in 2015. The proposal has triggered protests and criticism from unions, opposition figures and citizens who say it is out of step with low wages, weak services and wider hardship.

The government has tabled Bill No. 10 of 2026 to restore and expand benefits for former presidents, including uncapped state-funded housing support, security, transport, medical care and tax exemptions. WIN MP Tabitha Sarabo-Halley says the move removes safeguards imposed in 2015 and comes as many Guyanese face high living costs and low pensions.