AS activities  commence for the observance of Month of the Elderly, it is mandatory, even appropriate, that congratulations and the greatest of appreciation be extended  to these “goldies”, for their contributions to all in general: as parents and  grandparents and especially as retired workers in whatever capacity they would have served – their contribution to this nation  must be recorded. They are indeed worthy of our undying gratitude.
And for myself, I salute my still-alive mother, and my long departed father, whose sacrifices will always be memorialised. To my deceased grandparents: a most cherished place in my heart for the selfless love and devotion and assistance given by my parents in the upbringing of myself and siblings. 
I must now direct my attention to a caption in the Guyana Times “PNCR wants more done for senior citizens,” as carried in the Guyana Times. How shameful can these people ever be!
During their tenure of office, how much did they do for this special category of citizens on whose behalf they now purport to speak? Apart from free public transportation, the writer does not recall anything of real substance. What I do recount clearly were growing complaints from many pensioners, that the sum they received per month then was paltry; and that there was a means test that any would-be applicant for old age pension had to satisfy and if they failed that test then they were denied old-age pension. The PPP/C brought a halt to such a system, after which anyone who had attained pensionable age and resided in Guyana for two years qualified.
Surely, under this administration more has been done to enhance the quality of life for our elderly, whose current pension, for example, are at least better than the unconscionable sum received before 1992. And I am certain, that more will be done for this category, as promised by Human Services Minister Ms. Priya Manickchand during her remarks to launch Month of the Elderly activities. I am quite certain that government is paying very close attention to a growing aging population and will evolve plans to cater for their needs.
But, it is fair that I ask the following:  why did not this opposition party at least implement some of the interventions that they are now proposing. After all, they had 28 years to do such!