Dear Editor,
In discussing the day’s events with a dear friend of mine I was asked whether I got my oil money of 100, 000 dollars. My answer was no. I cannot bear the suffering of what is happening at NIS Brickdam, Georgetown. The crowds are there every time I go and one has to spend several hours to gather information as to what to do and where to wait. You are told “venue will be announced, come back Thursday or Friday”, only to find the same confusion and chaos on those days.
I don’t know the number of pensioners they have to deal with but tents are always full and people are all around the two gates of the building and police are restricting people from entering for the purpose of doing NIS business other than receiving the grant. The road is blocked so that vehicles cannot pass on Brickdam at times in the vicinity of the NIS building.
So far one would have gone to register amidst the crowds at NIS. Then another visit among the crowds to hand in their ID card. Then another visit to NIS to collect the grant if one can wait another day. I have found out on the internet that my cheque is ready but I am not getting access at the NIS with the chaos and confusion. This whole operation is unfortunate, clumsy and incompetent. I witnessed a pensioner being informed that she has to go to Melanie, ECD to continue her business. A man got a number 166 when they shared up to 170 on Friday 4th January 2025. He couldn’t wait so he went about other business to revisit NIS. Why do seniors who have contributed so much work, energy and time suffer to receive a benefit from the government which is their God given right.
Sincerely,
Hilmon Henry