As Guyana gets ready to usher in Senior Citizens Month beginning Saturday October 1, the opposition coalition A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) promises to increase old age pension by 100% among other benefits, if it wins the upcoming general and regional elections.
Asked where APNU-led administration would get the money from, coalition official Lance Carberry said they would weed out corruption and cut the former president’s benefits.
These plans are part of the party’s strategy to develop and institute a sustainable national policy for the elderly and were stated by APNU executive member Volda Lawrence as the party held the second of its two weekly press conferences at its headquarters in Regent Street.
Among other plans stated at the press conference were the review and modernization of the NIS to increase the scope of its coverage and ensure its financial viability; enhancement of health and recreation services for the elderly; the implementation of regulations to manage the standard of old folks homes and introduction of an NGO partnership between youths and senior citizens so that the former are equipped with skills needed for care of the elderly.
The APNU representative added that the high percentage of value-added tax, electricity charges, poor health services and disrespectful treatment meted out to the elderly were all key factors taken into consideration when the party formulated the proposals.
