Human Services and Social and Social Security Minister Jennifer Webster has registered her concerns and that of her ministry in respect of the theft of monies intended to pay pensioners. The minister, in an interview with this newspaper, said that the continuing theft of monies from post offices across the country is now becoming a burden on the ministry and the funds which are budgeted annually for monthly distribution to pensioners.
The minister was responding to questions about added security for pensioners’ monies when these are placed at post offices for distribution.
In May of this year, bandits carted off millions from the Wismar Post Office which was intended for the payments of pensioners.
Minister Webster said that there needs to be added security at post offices and the overall protection and safeguarding of the monies which are put aside for persons who would have served this country in various capacities.
The minister told the Guyana Chronicle that at the level of the ministry, concerns have been expressed especially with the latest theft.
She said that with the next pension payment date approaching, security should be heightened since pensioners are going to be showing up at post offices and they will not be happy if they are to hear from representatives that funds are not available because they were stolen.
She said that despite the theft of the funds  or in the future, the ministry will still need to keep its obligation to the citizens of Guyana by ensuring that monies for pension payout are available from the beginning of each new month.