500,000 US dollars rental homes is simply unconscionable
The Working People’s Alliance (WPA) thinks that the rental of two 500,000 US dollars houses for two junior ministers of government is “immoral” and “unconscionable.”
The party’s position on the matter was made known yesterday during a press conference it hosted at its Queenstown headquarters. WPA’s new Chair, Tabitha SaraboHalley delivered the party’s take. She said that the issue of lavish spending on Government functionaries is one that dogged the previous government and which was correctly condemned by the then opposition parties. Sarabo-Halley said that it is therefore a matter of grave concern when similar practices seem to be creeping into the behavior of the present government. The WPA Chair said that while the party does not object to government ministers being compensated at levels befitting their office, “We strongly object to the super-salaries and other compensation that seem to have become the norm in Guyana.” She told the media too that the WPA cannot, in all conscience, defend and support gGvernment payment of half a million dollars rent for ministers especially when placed against the 50% rise in salary that was given to ministers in 2015. It borders on government splurging of taxpayers’ money,” she said. Sarabo-Halley said that if ministers are being paid healthy salaries, enjoy the usual perks that come with the office and get their rent paid at $500,000 per month, then that amounts to enrichment at the expense of government. “It was wrong under the PPP and it cannot be correct now.” She said that the WPA has always felt that the APNU+AFC government must distinguish itself from the PPP on these and other matters pertaining to management of government resources. Sarabo-Halley continued, “WPA wishes to draw to our government’s attention that at a time when we bemoan a huge gap between the rich and the poor, it is inexcusable for us to be paying a monthly rent for ministers that amounts to approximately six times that of the monthly salary of the average public servant.”
(Kaieteurnews.com)