Georgetown : Minister with responsibility for Social Protection Volda Lawrence has been looking into the welfare of citizens and ensuring that they treated with respect when conducting transactions at public offices.
On Monday last, Minister Lawrence visited pensioners in Regions Three and Four, and interacted with them, with the aim of hearing their concerns and recommendations to improve the conditions through which they receive their pensions.
The areas visited by Minister Lawrence are, Providence and Fellowship on the East Bank of Demerara, Region Four; and Leonora and Meten-Meer-Zorg in Region Three.
Among the concerns raised by pensioners were, the slothfulness of the system, monies arriving late, the absence of seating facilities, the absence of a shelter to protect them from the weather, and incorrect payments. They pleaded for the construction of a shed along with seating facilities to make their wait a bit more comfortable.
Minister Lawrence indicated that she had observed the lack of a proper system and this was leading to a haphazard distribution, which was to the disadvantage of those who arrive at the pension distribution locations early.
Additionally, the Minister indicated that something must be done about the processing system at the facilities, as seats were available for only a few pensioners. Most were standing. “We are serving the people and we seem to have lost touch with the people,” the Minister remarked.
In its efforts to address the concerns of the people, the Government has sought to consult citizens so as to ensure that policies, plans and strategies that emanate from the Government are done in consultation people in the communities.
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