Following the gruelling budget tussle, Parliament is to reconvene on Thursday May 10th when a series of opposition motions will come up for debate including one in the name of APNU MP Carl Greenidge to have the Former President’s (Benefits and Other Facilities) Act 2009 repealed.
That Act which has been broadly condemned by the opposition will likely lead to fierce debate and could result in a repeal bill eventually being presented by the opposition to Parliament. If such a bill is passed it would only become law if President Donald Ramotar signs it. The government is likely to fiercely oppose Greenidge’s motion for the repeal of the Act. Critics have said that the benefits contained in the Act are undefined and too lavish for the country to afford. The Act was seen to have been inspired by former President Bharrat Jagdeo and it was tabled following the death of former President Janet Jagan. Some close to the PPP/C have argued that neither Mrs Jagan nor the late President Cheddi Jagan would have ever countenanced such extravagant benefits.
A series of other motions in Greenidge’s name is also due to come up pertaining to the independence of the courts, the Auditor General’s office and the service commissions. There is also one in the name of AFC MP Khemraj Ramjattan pertaining to the independence of the National Assembly.
