Several Amerindian villages in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), particularly in Aishalton, are yet to receive their pension books, Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Alister Charlie has said.
“After boasting the delivery of the 5Bs across Guyana to ensure Guyanese enjoy the good life, the Social Protection Minister had forgotten the pensioners of Region Nine,” the MP said.
Region Nine Opposition MP, Alister Charlie
Charlie told Guyana Times on Wednesday that the region has approximately 1600 registered pensioners and, to date, only 700 pension books were received from the Social Protection Ministry.
The MP said he recently raised the issue with Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira who brought the matter to the attention of the Social Protection Minister, Amna Ally.
While acknowledging the untimely distribution, Charlie said the Minister did admit that there was also a shortage that led to the current situation in Region Nine.
“The Minister related that there was a problem at the printery and hence the remaining pension books will be made available by next week. The problem at the printery left me to wonder if there was a shortage of green and yellow ink, or a blatant negligence,” he added.
According to the MP, the untimely distribution of pension books to pensioners in Region Nine has never happened. He said that a commitment was made by the Minister to have the pension books delivered next week. Charlie said that he is holding the Minister to her word and hope she delivers.
Meanwhile, Toshao for Aishlaton, Douglas Casimero, told Guyana Times that not a single pension book was received for his village, although there are some 76 registered pensioners there.
Although he was not briefed on the situation, Casimero feels that the problem lies in the distribution system. “I am not too sure if it’s transportation but I want to believe it’s the new staff,” he stated.
The Toshao claimed that it is not something that was experienced previously. He also believes that the new staff placed in charge of distribution may have also contributed to the issue.
He said, “Previously it would have been done in such a way that all the books would have been here before year-end. These people are coming to us and we don’t have answers for them.”
The coalition Government announced an increase in old age pension by $500 moving it up 2.5 per cent from $19,000 to $19,500, with effect from January 1, 2018.
The increase was announced by Finance Minister Winston Jordan, during the 2018 National Budget.
In addition to the pension increase, elderly persons are exempted from paying travel tax, when travelling overseas on a Guyanese passport. They are also exempted from paying for a driver’s licence and passport fees.
Similarly, effective January 1, 2018, public assistance will be increased to $8000, an approximately 36 per cent in the two and half years.
