Headache to uplift pension book

Nov 07, 2022 Letters

Dear Editor,

The visit to the Christ Church compound to uplift the 2023 Pension Book was an exercise in exasperation. In American lingo, it would be labeled a cluster-bomb situation, the regular, old snafu. In Guyanese lingo: confusion, frustration, and agitation, It takes a lot to trouble nowadays, but the Christ Church experience last Friday was infuriating, disappointing and disgusting. I place the blame squarely with where it should be, viz., the Hon. Minister of Human Services. What was delivered there to Guyanese Pensioners was not human, but inhumane. The Minister can consult with her A-team on the whys, whereases, and wherefores that I have learned is plaguing this year’s 2023 Pension Book activity in several locations.

I start with the positives. The seven female officers engaged in processing were focused, disciplined, and involved throughout. I don’t think I saw them leaving their workstations once in the three plus hours I was there. I thank them for eating on the run, and in sporadic, hurriedly gobbled spurts, at their tables, with upset and impatient people clustered around them. Special thanks to Ms. Leshaun James, who was tireless, courteous, and professional in answering questions from all angles, and on her feet for hours. I watched Ms. James and two other female officers extending a willing hand to those who were struggling, and couldn’t manage with waiting their turn. Though not universally practiced, it was still welcomed. Mr. McBean, who I concluded was a senior officer, was professional in responding when I pressed why some people were being processed before those who were there before. His words were that they were those who couldn’t be dealt with at other sites, so the spillover was directed to Christ Church. I thanked him thinking that this was for Alberttown alone, only to hear that Wortmanville, South Cummingsburg, and elsewhere were all present, for a cramped processing area that had none of those places named in the newspapers. I am now withdrawing what I told him, namely, that I understand, and it was acceptable. It is not, and for a couple reasons.

For what was interpreted to be managerial discretion and accommodation of those missing out at their ‘home centers’ omitted a key detail. For example, present was a female Pensioner turned away at Alberttown, and advised (with spouse) to go to Christ Church on Friday. Nothing was said about them jumping the line, and she patiently waited her turn for hours. This ‘jumping the line’ was what all of us observed occurring continually throughout the day. This left us thinking that these were ‘special arrangements’ for ‘special people’ possibly sent by the powers that be; or private arrangements and associated considerations. I regret that Mr. McBean’s explanation fell short.

Now, it took three and a half hours to collect the pension book. Three and a half hours, and this was less than what others experienced at Trinity Methodist Church on High Street, and elsewhere. I heard angry Pensioners. I saw Pensioners who could barely see, or hardly walk, but submitted to an ordeal involving hours. What makes this even more unsatisfactory is that the Ministry of Human Services had a smooth and efficient process in 2021, when arrangements, process, organization, and structure were all in place and hummed efficiently. Why change what wasn’t broke? I understand cash, thumbprints, and some slowing the process, but it shouldn’t take ten minutes or upwards to sign one’s name and three hours to collect a book. This was the experience that Pensioners were treated to, and it was appalling. The Minister should be embarrassed to preside over this. I point to her because it is her watch, her portfolio. I hope that her Public Relations people don’t take offense and respond. I am holding back some other negative elements of the day at Christ Church. It might be better to take the experience shared and learn from mistakes. Perhaps distribution was held in houses of worship to limit cursing.

Sincerely,
GHK Lall

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