KINGSTON - Senior citizens on the West Coast 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 commissioned the newly rehabilitated Meten-Meer-Zorg and Fellowship Post Offices.
These rehabilitation works were done in collaboration with 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 all sorts of illnesses will become them when standing in long lines at the post offices. “… the country’s pensioners are precious elements of society and that as they grow; they should be treated with dignity and respect,” she noted.
“I was very happy to know that after I commented on the manner on which pensioners had to endure in order to collect their pension, actions were taken. I was so happy to hear that this birthed conception or this idea was already here in Region Three,” Minister Lawrence emphasised.
She is hopeful that other regions will adopt such initiative so that other pensioners can uplift their pension in comfort.
She also expressed gratitude to the Post Office Corporation for embracing the initiative and the Ministry of Infrastructure which has responsibility for post offices.
Meanwhile, Minister Ferguson said she is aware of the financial constraints that the post offices face. 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 have a mandate to provide services to the citizens, and that under her tenure, all such offices countrywide will be transformed to ensure that pensioners and other citizens transact their businesses in a comfortable and clean environment.
