–to buy groceries, other items; cash, bank options will still be available

THE government is working on a plan to make it easier for pensioners to receive their cash through a collaborative effort between the Ministries of Public Telecommunications and Social Protection.

Once completed, pensioners will be able to access their pensions, which will be loaded on a card and used at small shops and stores where they will need to uplift groceries and other items.

“Everybody [pensioner] has a little card, and on that card, you get your pension. And every single shop got a little card reader; so, you don’t even have to actually get the money in your hand,” said Minister of Public Telecommunications Cathy Hughes while engaging the residents of several villages in the North Rupununi recently. “If you want to, you can get it like that, but with this card, every month your pension goes straight to the card, then you could take the card and you could go around to the shops or the stores, because each of them will have one [card reader] and with just a swipe, that would be how you pay for your items,” she added.

Minister Hughes went on to explain that the option at reference is practised in several countries across the globe, and will be specifically convenient for pensioners in the hinterland and far-flung communities. It is also an advanced option of transacting business, and one of the most effective and efficient ways of spending money.

This option, which the government is seeking to introduce, is said to be more convenient, and will eliminate the need for senior citizens to be walking around with liquid cash upon receipt of their pension.

“I know for many people,” she said, “the distance you have to travel to collect your pension means you have to spend money for the minibus. Because of that, you don’t go to collect your pensions for two to three months.”

With specific reference to the senior citizens, Minister Hughes explained that the government is working towards ensuring that the Indigenous Peoples are treated with the highest level of respect; and that there is a continued push for Guyanese, as a whole, to experience the ‘good life’.

The announcement of the Public Telecommunications Minister comes on the heels of a similar disclosure made by Social Protection Minister Amna Ally, who had said that pensioners will be able to access their pensions at the bank of their choice, starting 2020. (DPI)