FORMER President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo’s expenses for electricity, transportation and security between December 2011, when he demitted office, and February 2014 has amounted to some $45.3M over the 27-month period.

According to a breakdown provided by Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, to the House on Thursday, $9.9M was spent on electricity; $15.2M on transportation; and the remaining $20.3M on security. Dr. Jagdeo incurred no expenses for health, he said, adding that with respect to the former President’s transportation costs, all the vehicular assets are property of the State, and that security services are provided by the Presidential Guard Service.
The foregoing details were in response to a number of questions posed by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament, Desmond Trotman. The first was: “What is the electricity charge paid under the Act for former President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, for each month since he demitted office in 2011 up to the end of February, 2014?”
As a follow-up, Trotman asked: “What is the total health expenses/claims met under the Act for former President, Bharrat Jagdeo and/or his dependents for each month since he demitted office in 2011 to 28th February, 2014?”
Not yet done with the subject of the former President’s benefits since demitting office, Trotman asked: “What is the cost of providing transportation (local and overseas) inclusive of cars and drivers, including air cost and road under the Act for former President, Bharrat Jagdeo and/or his dependents for each month since he demitted office in 2011 to 28th February, 2014?”
His last query was: “What is the monthly cost of providing security for personal and property(s) under the Act for former President, Bharrat Jagdeo since he demitted office in 2011 until 28th February, 2014?”
There has been some criticism over the time taken to provide the answers to the National Assembly.