Govt tables bill to reinstate benefits for ex-Presidents

…repeal APNU/AFC restrictions

The Government on Friday began the legislative process which seeks to formalise the benefits and services available to former Heads of State for the remainder of their lifetime and repeal the amendments made by A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) in 2019 to the 2009 law, as the Former Presidents (Benefits and Other Facilities) Bill 2026 was tabled in the National Assembly.
Tabled by Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, and read for the first time yesterday, the Former Presidents (Benefits and Other Facilities) Bill 2026 outlines a comprehensive package of entitlements for individuals who have held this nation’s highest office by restoring the 2009 legislative framework.

“Every person who has held the Office of President and ceased to hold that office by virtue of the provisions of Article 92 of the Constitution or otherwise shall, during the remainder of his or her lifetime, be entitled to the following – (a) the provision of water, electricity and telephone services at his or her place of residence in Guyana; (b) services of personal household staff, including an attendant and a gardener; (c) services of clerical and technical staff, if requested,” the Bill states. Further, Section two continues “…(d) free medical attendance and medical treatment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred by him or her for his or her medical attendance or treatment and that of any dependant members of his or her family; (e) full-time personal security and services of the Presidential Guard Service at his or her place of residence; (f) the provision of motor vehicles owned and maintained by the State; (g) toll-free road transportation in Guyana.”
Following the reading of the bill in the House, the Ministry of Finance said that the legislation seeks to repeal the 2015 amendments introduced by the APNU/AFC Coalition and restore the framework first established in 2009, thus restoring a standard of dignity to former Presidents.
The Ministry said that the bill will “restore a single, predictable standard governing the benefits afforded to those who have held the nation’s highest office”, even as it emphasised that the presidency is not a role that ends with demission but one that carries lifelong obligations and representational duties.
“These benefits exist to reflect the continuing obligations of the presidency itself, including the representational duties and security considerations that follow a head of state long after the term has ended,” the Ministry’s statement said. The 2009 legislation provided former Presidents with coverage of all utility expenses at their residence, household staff, transportation and security, and free medical attention for themselves and their dependants.
However, the 2015 amendments capped medical coverage at $200,000 annually and introduced restrictions that could strip benefits if a former President engaged in private business or employment, measures that the Ministry believes are “flawed” and politically motivated. Underscoring that the presidency, as an institution, requires continuity of respect and support, the repealing now of the 2015 law also seeks fairness and consistency. “A stable framework, applied equally to every President who has served, serves the country far better than rules drafted to suit the politics of a passing moment,” the Ministry said.
The Ministry also highlighted that the move to repeal the 2015 amendments with the current proposals was done with “responsible stewardship of public resources”. “The Government reaffirms its commitment to a benefits regime that is clear, consistent and worthy of the office it serves,” the Ministry said.