More support for senior citizens on Government’s agenda

Aug 30, 2014 News

Improving the lives of senior citizens is high on the agenda of Government. In this regard plans are currently being streamlined to put measures in place to help create, as far as possible, a more comfortable and stress-free existence for the elders.
But achieving such a goal will require immense input from the very people on the agenda for attention. Moreover, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Jennifer Webster, said yesterday that a consultation that will target senior citizens is currently in the making. This consultation, she disclosed, is expected to be convened during the month of October and it is expected that a wide cross-section of the elders from across the nation will be in attendance.
Currently a venue for the consultation is being identified with a view of ensuring that it could be accessible to the target stakeholders, Minister Webster said.
Speaking to a gathering of media operatives yesterday, Webster said that the intention of the consultation is to engage the senior citizens in a discussion about proposed plans to draft laws that would detail measures of benefit to them.
The main intent of the consultation, according to the Minister, is therefore designed to ensure that “they are protected from abuse, from violence and so on…” even as she pointed out that “we have witnessed in the recent past where two elderly women lost their lives in the confines of their homes.”
Minister Webster disclosed too that “on a regular basis the Probation and Social Services Officers, and even I, have received complaints from elderly persons…elderly persons come to see me about their families putting them out of their own homes or after they add their children’s names to their property (transport). We have to ensure that in cases like these, that they are protected,” stressed the evidently concerned Minister.
The planned consultation, according to the Minister, will entail discussions on other possible support services that can be provided to senior citizens. The elderly in Guyana have long been recognised among the vulnerable faction of the society therefore, Government has been making strides to improve their existence.
Already Government has been providing some support to senior citizens. Aside from the monthly old age pension, provisions have also been made for them to be recipients of subsidies to aid their access to potable water and even more recently, electricity.
During the latter part of last year, over 5,000 pensioners started to receive an annual $20,000 subsidy. The Guyana Power and Light Company then announced that it had started to disburse the Parliamentary-approved annual electricity subsidy and the accounts of 5,610 registered pensioners had been credited.
The $20,000 subsidy was announced in 2013 by Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, as part of a menu of measures in the budget then to assist the vulnerable in society. This faction of the society has also been afforded in excess of $200 million towards their water charges.
Based on the outcome of the proposed consultations, it is expected that the senior citizens will be able to benefit from even more support from Government in the future.

Latest News

More support for senior citizens on Government’s agenda

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| February, 7th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

SBM Offshore Guyana & VFMA launch Girls in Football Development...

Imlach and Nandu fifties pilot Harpy Eagles to...

A look at Government’s boldest investment in...

Barker wins big, Khalil and Simpson inch closer...

Trophy Stall on board Republic Cup three-day...

13-year old benefits from Project “Cricket Gear...

Features/Columnists

You cannot borrow your way to prosperity

OAS Secretary General Election and renewed OAS Consensus

Jagdeo on land, Hughes

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

More support for senior citizens on Government’s agenda

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| February, 7th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]