Stranded EZjet passengers refunded

Mar 26, 2013 News

Refunds for stranded EZjet passengers have started but the process has been far from smooth. A number of persons have expressed their dissatisfaction with the system.
Yesterday, the Ministry of Public Works’ Head office, in Kingston, Georgetown was crowded with people coming from all across Guyana to collect their refund.

Minister Benn speaking to a few upset passengers yesterday.

Persons from as far as Essequibo and Berbice sat at the Ministry’s head office from 5:30am yesterday and at 03:00pm they were not attended to.
Many persons were frustrated because they had left their jobs to go to the Ministry, hoping that their long wait for their refund would have come to an end.
“They should have at least say which area they are dealing with; they can’t say they will start to pay out people and have everyone coming here. Now when we come here, there is no list so that we could check our names. Suppose we wait here whole day and when we ready to go in, our name is not on the list,” an EZjet passenger noted.
Another stranded passenger, Susan Hemmerding, said that she took time to come to Georgetown to collect her money but it was just a waste of time. “This is unfair; I did not use their ticket so why do I have to pay the consequences,” Hemmerding questioned.
Yesterday, the Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn, could not say how much money will be paid out, “it depends on the number of people and how fast the transaction will be processed.”
“There is a large crowd and we are assuring them that once they registered within the required time to claim the refund, they will be refunded. We are paying out 64 per cent refunds. There is only a certain amount of money available as a bond and the demand exceeds the amount in the bond; that is why we are paying a 64 per cent refund to make the best of a situation,” Benn said.
There were some persons who did not register to collect their refund but turned up at the office yesterday only to be told by the Minister that they will not be paid.
Payments of refunds will continue today.