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What the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security is Doing to Pensioners is Truly Reprehensible
Dear Editor,
The whole issue of pension continues to be a nightmare for us pensioners and the present distribution of the $25,000 cash grant runs true to form. It seems the Hon. Minister of Human Services and Social Security (MoHS & SS) just cannot get it right and ease the burden of the aged and disabled. A Government (a country) is to a large extent judged by the way it treats its elderly citizenry.
So here we are in December 2023 being issued with instructions via the media to collect our “Because We Care” cash grant of $25,000, not an overly generous amount but will come in handy to assist with our massive food bills in oil-rich Guyana. Already for the month, I have been to a pension location twice – to collect my monthly pension and then to collect my 2024 pension books. Now I am being asked to drag my tired old body for a third time to collect the cash grant.
There was no advisory that there would be a numbering system. So, when I turned up at the advertised Alberttown Basketball Court (should be Queenstown as it is east on Albert Street where the city ward changes) at 11:00 am on December 06, 2023, I was told to come back the next day as they had finished their quota for the day. The next day I returned at 09:15 am and was given a number 241. After making five trips to the venue, I finally secured my bumper grant at 04:35 pm.
The pensioners were out in their numbers, the sun was hot, the shade provided by the tents and the chairs were both inadequate. There was no washroom facility for the staff nor the pensioners for all those long dreary hours. There was much confusion and quarrels and outbursts as the day wore on and the pensioners got tired, hungry and frustrated as they moved their tired aching limbs from chair to chair to get to the head table. Many of the pensioners were in distress as they moved around slowly with their walking sticks or walkers; some were assisted by relatives who also had to spend the long hours there.
The catchment for the Alberttown Basketball Court included the densely populated wards of Queenstown, Alberttown and North Cummingsburg. Yet only two days for distribution were given with a cut-off point for each day. This small window of opportunity contributed to the chaos and frustration. The staff members (Mr. McBean and his team) were kind, patient and helpful but as they explained they were following instructions on the distribution system. So, there we have it, the system which failed woefully was thought out and implemented by the MoHS & SS. Here’s my concern, I know there will be many complaints reaching the top officials of the Ministry including the Hon. Minister but next time there is a similar exercise, it will be more of the same because in our dear Guyana, the plights of the poor and the elderly will continue to be consigned to oblivion. No one cares; no one has the will to make changes.
An observation I made at the location was that the four police officers who were there were surprisingly involved in the actual work of the cash grant distribution. So, they had their big guns resting on their laps as they cut up the numbering slips from exercise leaves, collected pension books, called out names and other such activities. Strange as I know that police officers especially heavily-armed ones do not, as a rule engage in civilian work as their duty is strictly security and they must be focused and observant.
On a related and disturbing note, I was told that anyone who does not collect his/her pension during the stipulated time will lose it. So, my sister who is abroad for a medical condition will not get her “Because We Care” cash grant as she returns on December 21 and so too will the many pensioners who for good reasons, could not have reached on the stated days.
My wife told me that I am wasting my time writing this letter because nothing will come out of it as nothing changes in Guyana. It will be read perhaps even by the subject Minister and then set aside. But you know what, I just had to write this letter; I am that angry and frustrated at the never-ending contemptuous and inhumane treatment of us pensioners.
A. Singh
Concerned Pensioner
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- A. Singh, Alberttown Basketball Court, Concerned Pensioner, Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, Mr. McBean
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