Venezuelan assembly approves more funds for presidential expenses

[Report by Ahiana Figueroa: "Assembly Approves BsF 30 Million for Presidential Expenses"]

In 2001, the government bought the Airbus A319 CJ presidential plane that Hugo Chavez uses for most of his trips. Featuring seats for 39 passengers and 12 crew members and six different areas, this airplane can fly long distances without stopovers. Nine years later, this aircraft needs spare parts to continue to operate and the 900 Falcon System, which is used for Chavez's domestic trips, is also in need of maintenance.

The Delegate Commission of the Finance Committee of the National Assembly approved additional resources for 30m bolivares fuertes [VEF] [13,953,488 dollars] for the Presidency of the Republic, which will fund various expenditures, including the purchase of spare parts for air transportation equipment such as water and oil filters, connectors, parking, valves, fuel and high-pressure pumps, spark plugs, pins [pasadores] and fuel filters. From this sum, 999,960 VEF [465,097 dollars] will be allocated for the president's protection and air transportation. In addition, 691,525 VEF [321,639 dollars] will be used to pay for per diems and plane tickets, inside and outside the country.

Also, 1.6m VEF [744,186 dollars] will be used for food preparation and supply and 507,179.21 VEF [235,897 dollars] for the purchase of food products and drinks.

To pay off debts

The report to request additional resources indicates that 1.091m VEF [507,441 dollars] will be needed to meet the needs of the citizens that come to Miraflores Palace, particularly to provide financial assistance to patients.

Because of the wage increases decreed by the government, the Ministry of the Secretariat of the Presidency incurred debts with the workers over differentials for Christmas bonuses, salaries and an increase in seniority compensation payments. Thus, 618,045 VEF [287,462 dollars] were earmarked to pay off this debt.

Personnel expenses, which amount to 20.4m VEF [9,488,372 dollars], include the incorporation of 74 cooperative members into the payroll and the change of status of 181 cooperative members as permanent workers. These resources will pay for wages, benefits, bonuses, HCM [hospitalization, surgery and maternity insurance], and food vouchers.