Dear Editor,
I am writing on behalf of a pensioner. He is 80-years-old with major health issues i.e. spinal, heart and kidney problems and stage four cancer. He left home about 7.00 a.m. on 5 December, 2023 to collect the $25,000 cash grant. When he arrived, he was given #354 but all the seats under the two tents were taken so he had to stand while using a walking stick. During the morning, all the disabled persons were asked to come forward, when he did, he was ‘chased’ back to the line to wait his turn. One neighbour, who was there, tried to intervene on his behalf but was unsuccessful. He left for home about 12.00 p.m. to use the washroom and eat lunch. He returned and had to wait until after 5.30 p.m. when he collected the grant.
He was totally exhausted, in fact ‘bruk-up’, and collapsed on arriving home after 6.00 p.m. It cost him four (4) taxi fares in one day. Now, he will have to use the same cash grant to go to the doctor and buy medication as a result of this ordeal. I am appealing to Mr. Ashni Singh, Minister of Finance and Minister of Human Services Dr. Vindhya Persaud to please, please put arrangements in place such as giving the pensioners a voucher which can be cashed at their convenience to prevent this kind of situation. Why do sick pensioners have to wait in these long lines and for such a long time to collect the grant? Just imagine waiting in line for eleven hours to collect $25,000!
Sincerely,
(Name and Address Withheld)
