Charity pensioners bemoan ‘tiring’ process in uplifting monthly payments

Jun 05, 2019 News

It would appear that there is a lack of empathy for the senior citizens living in and around Charity on the Essequibo Coast, primarily those uplifting their pensions at the Charity Post Office. Last Monday, a number of pensioners were seen standing in and around the Post Office

Pensioners waiting for their payments outside the Charity Post Office last Monday

as late as 10:00hrs; awaiting their pension.
Quite a number of pensioners explained that they made it to the Post Office as early as 06:00 hrs. While they did put forth the effort to be there on time, the money did not arrive at the post office until after 10:00hrs. At that time, there were over one hundred discomforted senior citizens awaiting their monthly pension.
Kaieteur News understands that a number of these persons was left standing without any refreshment. “We as old age pensioners come from since four to five o’clock, and some of we don’t even eat at home, ‘cause we want we money to come and go shop to buy food… I reach here since quarter past six, and mostly till 11:00 hrs to 13:00 hrs some ah we does get pay,” said a 69-year-old who travelled all the way from Dredge Creek, Lower Pomeroon.
An elderly woman then said, “We are congested here. When NIS and old age paying together, all the people will come out. We need we money because we not getting a source of income. Some of we come out here since six to seven o’clock to get a number.”
On December 1, 2018, the Charity Post Office was broken into and a huge sum of cash was stolen. This publication understands that following that incident, money related to the payment of pensioners is no longer kept at the Post Office.
“I am suggesting that we get money here, so by that by seven, people can come and get their money… Since that money was lost at the post office, we gotta wait till the first Monday for the money to come down. The money should be here when we come so we don’t have to be waiting long, long,” said another female pensioner who was waiting in line.

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Latest News