SENIOR citizens on the West Coast of Demerara will now receive their pensions in comfort, as Minister of Social Protection Volda Lawrence and Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Annette Ferguson have commissioned the newly rehabilitated Meten-Meer-Zorg and Fellowship Post Offices.These rehabilitation works were done in collaboration with the Commander of ‘D” Division and members of the religious and business communities, following a visit by Minister Lawrence. At that time the minister was made aware of the level of accommodation that was available for pensioners. The post offices are now outfitted with seating accommodation and sheds.
According to Minister Lawrence, when one goes around the country, there are always complaints of pensioners falling down and others becoming sick because they had to stand in long lines at the post offices. “The country’s pensioners are precious elements of society and they should be treated with dignity and respect,” she noted. “I was very happy to know that after I commented on the treatment that pensioners had to endure in order to collect their pensions, action was taken.” The minister is hopeful that other regions will adopt similar initiatives so that other pensioners can uplift their pensions in comfort. She also expressed gratitude to the Guyana Post Office Corporation and the Ministry of Infrastructure, which has responsibility for post offices, for embracing the initiative.
Meanwhile, Minister Ferguson said she was aware of the financial constraints that the post offices faced. However, notwithstanding the challenges, those on the West Coast were able to collaborate with stakeholders to better the services offered at the facilities. She further noted that the post offices had a mandate to provide services to citizens, and that under her tenure, all such offices countrywide would be transformed to ensure that pensioners and other citizens transact their businesses in a comfortable and clean environment.

(GINA)