Dear Editor,
I read the notice put out by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Protection in sections of the media on Saturday, November 19, 2022. I share some observations and related comments.
First, I applaud the ministry for publicizing a well-thought out, well-constructed notice. All the necessary details are in one place, inclusive of Administrative Regions, catchment areas, and dates of distribution for the 2023 pension books and the one-off cash grant. Second, all of the Regions named, except for sections of Regions Five and Six, the start date is from November 28, which is a solid week away, and allows for preparation and other arrangements by those who are eligible to collect books and cash. Though Regions Five and Six have sections for the ministry’s distribution to commence as early as Monday coming (November 21), I would like to think that information to this effect was already shared via other media channels, such as TV and social media; perhaps, Village Councils and other community offices.
Whether this is so or not, I think that, all in all, what I read represents a considerable improvement on Phase I, which needs no revisiting. Third, the hope (and call) is for the ministry to deliver in a manner far better than what was experienced in some wards in other areas. The first thing that has to be, must be, addressed is that business of taking a batch of pension books along with numbers in sequence, and then calling out only the names of the pensioners supposedly next in line. Putting the best sheen on that Phase I delivery arrangement, it was a recipe for the confusion and frustration that was all but inevitable. I will give the Ministry of Human Services and Social Protection elected and selected officials the benefit of the doubt, and say that no artifice or caprice was intended.
On the other hand, when that system was employed, which was to call out names only, then none of the sitting and waiting had a proper idea of who was before whom. Or who should not be, but were inserted for objectives unbeknownst, but of which only the worst interpretations could follow. Again, I am trying to be being kind and considerate to the hardworking and honestly delivering workers of the Human Services Ministry (and their higher-ups), and make no assumptions about who was playing games or engaging in a well-orchestrated plot. That is, so that the connected and favoured could jump over the heads of those waiting patiently, some stoically, others in a long suffering and resigned manner. Editor, it is my hope that the Minister and the Chief Social Security Officer are made aware of this writing. It is of how what took place in the Phase I delivery of pension books and one-off cash grants is viewed by many, albeit a lot less charitably.
Just as in other ministries and State agencies, I wish that the Human Services Ministry succeeds in its program of services to Guyanese dependent on its expertise, and with due exercise of the required compassion, professionalism, and ethics. May all proceed smoothly and unerringly. Nothing would please me more.
Sincerely,
GHK Lall
