Lall Slams Ex-Presidents’ Benefits Bill as Guyanese Battle Floods, High Cost

Social commentator GHK Lall has launched a blistering attack on the government’s proposed expansion of benefits for former presidents, arguing that the move comes at a time when many Guyanese are struggling with flooding, rising living costs and economic hardship.

In an opinion piece titled “Guyanese Under Siege—And What Is the PPP Government Doing?” Lall accused the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration of prioritising benefits for a handful of former leaders while ordinary citizens battle mounting challenges.

“For the past few weeks, Guyanese have been drowning from long deluges from the heavens,” Lall wrote, referring to widespread flooding that has affected communities across Georgetown and other parts of the country following prolonged periods of heavy rainfall.

The commentator argued that flooding is only one of several burdens confronting citizens.

“For the last few years—more than a few to be accurate—Guyanese have been crying and drowning from an overpowering cost-of-living environment,” he stated, contending that rising food prices and economic pressures continue to erode household incomes.

His criticism comes amid ongoing public concern about inflation, flooding and the government’s handling of major national priorities. While the administration has pointed to cash grants, salary increases and other measures aimed at easing financial pressures, critics maintain that many Guyanese continue to struggle with the high cost of living.

Lall reserved some of his strongest criticism for the Former Presidents (Benefits and Other Facilities) Bill, which is expected to come before the National Assembly during the current parliamentary session.

The controversy surrounding benefits for former presidents dates back to the Former Presidents (Benefits and Other Facilities) Act of 2009, which granted a broad range of state-funded privileges in addition to a presidential pension. These included expenses for utilities, security, household and clerical staff, transportation, medical care, vacation travel and other facilities, many of which were not subject to financial limits or clear restrictions.

Following its election to office in 2015, the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) administration amended the law to place caps on several of those benefits. Utility expenses were limited, staffing levels reduced, medical benefits restricted and tax-free concessions removed, although the pension payable to former presidents remained unchanged. The issue has resurfaced following moves by the PPP/C administration to revise the legislation, prompting criticism from opponents who argue that expanding benefits for former presidents is difficult to justify at a time when many Guyanese continue to face economic hardship.

According to Lall, while citizens contend with economic hardship and flood-related losses, government officials have devoted significant attention to improving the package of benefits available to former heads of state.

“While one set of Guyanese are starving, another set drowning from torrential rains, and both groups crying, depravedly indifferent PPP masterminds used their time to develop and refine an unlimited benefits bill for former presidents,” he wrote.

Lall questioned the timing of the measure and contrasted it with the inability of the National Assembly to debate other issues he considers more urgent.

“Motions for discussions on the Wales Gas-to-Energy that involves American billions and energy relief for tens of thousands of Guyanese cannot get past the Speaker. But a bill for four former presidents and another one waiting in the wings with lips drooling, is just about guaranteed to have its day on the floor of the Guyana National Assembly,” he wrote.

The Wales Gas-to-Energy project, one of the government’s flagship initiatives, is intended to utilise natural gas from Guyana’s offshore oil operations to generate electricity and support industrial development. However, the project has faced delays and has become a focal point of political debate over costs, implementation and transparency.

Lall argued that the benefits bill reflects a broader pattern in governance.

“This is part of the ugly continuum of PPP Guyana: ways are found to give more to those who already had a whole lot more than they deserve,” he stated.

He further accused the government of placing the interests of political elites above those of ordinary citizens.

“There cannot be strenuous efforts to make good on many promises made in featured national addresses, attended by thousands of special guests. But time can be set aside, energy dug up from deep within, and inspiration kindled to cobble together a benefits bill for former president,” he wrote.

The social commentator concluded by questioning whether the government is serving the interests of the broader population.

“Is Guyana a country, or is it a customized PPP penitentiary for the Guyanese people? Is the PPP Govt for the people, or is it a catastrophic crime wave for Guyanese?” he asked.

While the PPP/C administration has consistently pointed to billions of dollars in infrastructure spending, cash grants, salary adjustments and other social programmes as evidence of progress since taking office in 2020, many Guyanese, opposition politicians and social commentators contend that there has been no meaningful transformation in their quality of life.

They argue that despite unprecedented oil revenues, large sections of the population continue to grapple with high food prices, low wages, inadequate public services, frequent flooding, unreliable electricity and a rising cost of living. Against that backdrop, the proposed expansion of benefits for former presidents is seen by many as further evidence of a government out of touch with the hardships facing ordinary citizens.

Nevertheless, Lall’s latest commentary is likely to add fuel to an already heated debate over the proposed former presidents’ benefits legislation, government spending priorities, and whether sufficient attention is being given to the immediate concerns of ordinary Guyanese facing economic and environmental pressures.