Was President Granger out-numbered in a decision not to increase Ministers’ salaries?

Dear Editor, I have read with dismay the latest happenings in Guyana. My heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones on the street via traffic accidents and to those who have lost loved ones via armed robberies. In the midst of all this I read of a fifty percent increase in the salaries for Ministers. Social media carries a range of comments and most are not in favour of this grand pay hike. There is something very wrong about it and the members of the coalition must know. In fact, I think from the very beginning they knew it was wrong, as, according to one news source, they “published it quietly in the Official Gazette.” My opinion is that President Granger may have been out-numbered in his decision not to increase the salaries by such a hefty sum. I believe that his decision not to move to the presidential residence in the early stages of his presidency tells much about his character. I don’t believe that his decision to move to the presidential building centered on the urgent repairs the building needed but that he really enjoyed living as he did. I saw a picture of him on News source online a few days after the coalition’s victory, he had driven himself to church. When one is comfortable, they often times reject the lure of even greener pastures. The President must know, by the voices of the people, the outcry of many, that this increase is not needed now. It is not fitting to have such a hefty increase, in comparison to the average Guyanese (50 percent versus five percent), at this time in Guyana. When robberies and road accidents have decreased significantly perhaps the populace will be forgiving. For now, ministers can certainly manage with a five -10 percent salary increase. Ayanna Isaacs