Ferguson takes ‘Kill the Bill’ campaign city streets as pressure mounts for withdrawal of Former Presidents’ Benefits Bil

Former government minister and former parliamentarian Annette Ferguson on Tuesday intensified her campaign against the People’s Progressive Party’s (PPP) proposed Former Presidents’ Benefits Bill 2026, taking her “Kill the Bill” protest from outside the Office of the President to the streets of Georgetown in an effort to rally public opposition to legislation she says places political privilege ahead of the welfare of ordinary Guyanese.

Armed with a large banner declaring “Kill the Bill,” Ferguson and three supporters picketed outside the Office of the President on Regent Road before moving into the city’s commercial district, distributing handbills and engaging pedestrians, vendors and commuters in conversations about what she believes the legislation would mean for taxpayers.

The exercise forms part of Ferguson’s ongoing campaign calling for the complete withdrawal of the bill, a position that has found resonance among trade unions, civil society organisations, former public officials and other sections of society who have questioned the timing and substance of the proposed legislation.

Speaking with Village Voice News, Ferguson said participation in Tuesday’s protest had doubled.

“We had, you know, I would say like a 100 percent increase because we moved from two to four persons who were out there demonstrating their disgust against what is likely to come,” she said.

After distributing flyers to motorists and pedestrians outside the Office of the President, the group proceeded to the Stabroek Market area, beginning at Cornhill Street and continuing through Water Street to Princess Street.

“We were able to engage individuals one and one. Persons had queries, they had questions, we were able to address those issues,” Ferguson said.

She contended that many Guyanese remain unaware of the bill’s provisions until they are explained.

“The issues are real. People are really, really hurting in this place. People are upset that the opposition seems not to understand what the bill is all about. They were able to get a full understanding of what the bill, if and when passed, will be doing to them as Guyanese.”

According to Ferguson, many of those she met encouraged the campaign to continue and pledged to share the information with others.

“They said we have to continue sensitizing others, and they will spread the word. They’re concerned about the lacklustre approach by the opposition. There’s no proper representation. The PPP is doing as they like, no one is holding them accountable, and how long we should continue like this as a people.“

She said the public response has reinforced her determination to continue the campaign.

“They really, really liked what we were doing out there today, and encouraged us to continue doing what we were doing.“

Ferguson announced that the public education exercise will continue next Tuesday

Rolling back 2015 reforms

At the centre of the controversy is the PPP government’s proposal to repeal the Former Presidents (Benefits and Other Facilities) Act 2015, legislation enacted by the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition shortly after taking office.

The 2015 law significantly curtailed the broad, uncapped benefits available to former presidents under the 2009 legislation. Among other measures, it capped government-paid utilities at $25,000 per month each for electricity, water and telephone services, limited state-funded household staff to no more than three persons, imposed restrictions on medical benefits, removed certain tax concessions and provided for the forfeiture of benefits under specified circumstances, including if a former president engaged in certain paid employment or business activities.

The Former Presidents’ Benefits Bill 2026, tabled by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government, seeks to repeal those reforms and substantially restore the more generous regime that existed before 2015. The proposed legislation would remove the utility caps, restore broader taxpayer-funded personal and household staff, reinstate extensive tax concessions and provide comprehensive state-funded medical care for former presidents and their dependent families while eliminating several of the accountability provisions introduced under the APNU+AFC legislation.

Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh has defended the bill as restoring a uniform framework governing benefits for former Heads of State, describing the 2015 legislation as flawed.

However, the proposal has ignited a national debate because of its potential financial implications at a time when many Guyanese continue to grapple with low wages, rising living costs and persistent poverty despite the country’s unprecedented oil wealth.

The debate has also centred on priorities. While many public servants, pensioners and low-income workers continue to struggle to meet basic living expenses, the bill would expand taxpayer-funded benefits for a very small group of former presidents. The proposed legislation has therefore been viewed by many as self-serving, raising questions about whether expanding benefits for former officeholders should take precedence over addressing longstanding social and economic challenges affecting the broader population.

For Ferguson, that question lies at the heart of her campaign.

She argues that, rather than restoring unlimited benefits for former presidents by repealing the limits imposed under the APNU+AFC coalition government, the PPP administration should withdraw the bill altogether and focus public resources on improving the lives of ordinary Guyanese.