Pensioners queuing at the Bourda and East La Penitence post offices last week lamented the ordeal they faced while collecting their pensions and disability payments. Grievances included extensive wait times, inadequate waiting facilities, and substandard treatment of elderly and disabled individuals. The lack of organisation among beneficiaries further compounded the issues, highlighting systemic challenges in the distribution process.
Stabroek News spoke with three individuals at the Bourda Post Office and Business Centre, where it was observed that the elderly, who were lined up outside waiting their turn were disgruntled by the long line, and poor organisation for the separation of people who were there to uplift disability and pension payments. The three pensioners who spoke with Stabroek News wished to remain anonymous in fear of victimisation.
One told Stabroek News that he had been in line for about 40 minutes, and was appalled at the poor seating arrangements for elderly people like himself. “They are moving quickly, kind of…but there is no structure. Everyone is all over the place. I am here for pension but my line has persons for disability cheque as well. Usually each door has line one for pension and one for disability but I don’t know what is happening,” he complained.
An elderly woman approached Stabroek News and said that she had been at the post office since it opened. Unfortunately, she was yet to be tended to. “I came early in hopes of leaving early. I am here since 8. I was one of five persons here. People come after me and getting through first,” she said. “My skin is hot. As you can see how we sitting here under this tent it is very hot.”
Her friend chimed in, sharing that the process was usually quicker, but she was unaware of what was causing the holdup. “I think they should have separate days for pension and disability, maybe it will alleviate some of the crowd,” she proposed.
At the East La Penitence Post Office, a smaller crowd was seen outside the door awaiting entry to do their transactions. The line consisted of a mix of elderly and younger people who were sweltering in the hot sun.
When approached by Stabroek News three people shared that they understood they had to wait. However, doing so in the hot sun was the point of contention. Although they asked that their names be withheld they did not shy away from sharing that they have been waiting between 30 minutes to one hour to get a chance to enter the building to transact their business.
One elderly gentleman exclaimed, “blows boy, blows. This heat is bare blows.”
One man, Durant Willams, shared that he had been at the East La Penitence Post office for “a good while”. When asked about a time frame he said he had been out in the sweltering heat for close to an hour before he was able to get assistance. Williams shared that he received poor treatment. As he was about to enter the post office, he said, he was shoved away by the police guard at the door. “If it was not for that rail I would have fall down the step,” he related. “I dropped my cane and held onto the rail for support or I would have probably, I don’t know what would have happened. I came here since 8 and got through till 10:03. This is crazy. Plus she pushed me. I am sitting on the stairs here because I am still in shock at the whole thing.”
Stabroek News then ventured back to the main area where more fed-up pensioners gathered to protest the system that was actively being used by the post office. Although they were not willing to speak with the media, they sighed and murmured over the long wait and the heat from the scorching sun.
