Dear Editor,

ON TUESDAY, June 4, pensioners living in Blairmont and neighbouring villages finally got some much-needed relief from the rain and blistering sun, and can now rest their weary legs while waiting at the Blairmont Post Office to cash their Old Age Pension vouchers.On June 10, I wrote a letter in the press in support of two previous letters denouncing the undignified manner in which our senior citizens are treated every month at many post offices nationwide, as they wait patiently for long, exhaustive hours to collect the $18,000 subsistence given by the Government. I then called upon the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) to provide a more reliable, hassle-free service to our most vulnerable, our elderly.

Today, I’m pleased that a Good Samaritan and native of Blairmont, Mr Nowrang Persaud, with the blessing and approval of the GPOC, undertook this noble initiative and erected a permanent shed with wooden benches adjoining the front of the Blairmont Post Office.

At a small opening ceremony attended by GPOC Postmistress General Ms. Karen Brown; Area Manager Mr. Balkarran Kissoon; PRO Telesha Whyte and Region 5 Vice-Chairman Mr. Rion Peters, an overview of the project was given by Mr. Persaud, who has so far spent $400,000 of his own savings and called for other civic-minded persons in the business community to replicate this initiative in other parts of the country.

But while we appreciate this initiative, it is unfair and unrealistic to expect the business community, which is under undue pressure in a declining economy, to undertake the responsibilities of Government. Our private sector is already burdened with high taxes, a struggling economy, high interest rates, and lack of Government incentives needed to promote growth and job creation.

I was also pleased with the commitment given by GPOC Postmistress General Ms. Karen Brown to undertake additional improvements to the facility, to prevent flooding and to provide a wheelchair ramp at the entrance of the Blairmont Post Office, as is required by the Persons with Disabilities Act of 2010, Section 28 (1).

Our senior citizens deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.

HARRY GILL
Member of Parliament (PPP/C)