Dear Editor,
Quite often, when experiencing long-long “waits” at the National Insurance Offices on Brickdam, older citizens actually get time to reflect. NIS ensures you spend time at their locations for such lengthy pastimes.
Earlier this week I was a friendly vulnerable victim of the National Scheme – of which I was a member since its 1969 inception.
Post-70/80 year old experience has not changed much at the NIS since 1969. I watched as the clerk, slowly, deliberately, lovingly deal with his vouchers and ledgers as dozens of seniors waited. With both hope and trepidation. In this era of computers! I even recall that the personal secretary to the then newly-minted Minister of State Joe Harmon; Cabinet Secretary (?) – a matured lady who eschewed status – having to wait an hour for timely NIS service. And another warm-hearted lady whose actual words to me were: “Mr Fenty whenever I have to come to this NIS, I offer up extra prayers in the morning”.
Over at the Ministry of Finance, in this year of 2022, after various governments, it’s the same voucher/ ledger syndrome and system. I’m actually a true fan of subject minister Dr Ashni. So I’m lobbying. Let’s pray for modernistic improvements away from “de voucha an de ledjah” in our oil-producing Republic. Agreed?
Yours faithfully,
Allan Arthur Fenty