ryan.bachoo@cnc3.co.tt
As the debate of the relevance of the presidency in T&T continues, the money expended to the office yearly remains one of the lesser known facts.
Yet, it is not altogether a secret.
According to the 98th report of the Salaries Review Commission (SRC), which is the latest document of its kind, the salary of a sitting President is currently $64,270 per month.
The salary, pension and any allowance of whatsoever nature payable to the office holder in respect of his/her service as President are exempt from the payment of income tax and any other tax.
The sitting President is also allowed $9,650 per month as a duty allowance, and while the President has an official residence, according to the SRC, “Where the official residence is not available for use by the President, and suitable alternative accommodation is not provided, an allowance of $28,000 per month.”
This especially applied to President Paula-Mae Weekes, who used the official residence for only official use.
Weekes opted to live at her personal home when appointed.
The SRC also states that a President of T&T is also allowed 60 calendar days vacation leave per annum and is entitled to passages to the maximum value of two adult first class, or equivalent class, return airfares to the United Kingdom annually for the president, spouse, if any, and dependent children, if any, under the age of 18.
While travelling, the President gets a subsistence allowance of US$150 per day, or an allowance of US$200 per day for accommodation plus a subsistence allowance of US$150 per day.
The cost of transportation and entertainment is met by the State. They are also entitled to a warm clothing allowance of US$900 each year.
The cost of internet access and telephone expenses is also met by the State. In the draft estimates expenditure for the fiscal year 2022 to 2023, the Government estimated to spend $19million on the presidency.
In 2021, the actual expenditure on the office amounted to over $13million while in 2022 it was estimated to cost $18million. The revised estimates showed that just shy of $18million was spent for that fiscal year.
The fleet of vehicles, which transports the President, is fully maintained by the State and manned by a complement of chauffeurs.
The President is also entitled to medical attention/treatment and prescribed drugs for themselves, their spouse and children who are unmarried and under the age of 18, at any health care facility under the Regional Health Authorities, including the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex.
According to the SRC, “Where such medical attention/treatment is not available at such health care facility, the costs at any other hospital, institution or nursing home in T&T to be met by the State.”
He/she is also entitled to superannuation benefits in accordance with the provisions of the President’s Emoluments Act, Chap. 2:50.
Salary of a President: $64,270 per month
Duty allowance: $9,650
Housing allowance: $28,000
Entitled to 60 days vacation
Warm clothing allowance: $US900 per year
Allowed two adult first-class tickets annually to the UK
Subsistence travel allowance: $US150 per day or $US200 per day for accommodation
Cost of transportation paid by the State
Cost of entertainment paid by the State
Cost of internet access and telephone expenses paid by the state
Cost of medical expenses paid by the State
