While the distribution of Old Age Pension books is still in progress, payment commenced yesterday and hundreds of pensioners across the country who had uplifted their books earlier were able to encash their vouchers at post offices located near them.

Speaking with Stabroek News yesterday Minister within the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security, Bibi Shadick disclosed that so far over 70% of the books had been distributed and the entire process was expected to end in another two weeks time. She said that many of the interior locations had not been served as yet but very soon social workers would be visiting those areas to distribute books and facilitate payment at the same time.

She pointed out that in Regions Five and Six, officers and members of the Local Board of Guardians assisted in the distribution and so far 90% of books had been shared out in the two regions. She noted that in Region Four the process had improved with the addition of staff and volunteers. She noted that at first there were numerous complaints about the centres in Region Four but the ministry took action and put remedial steps in place.

She observed that many of the pensioners who were turned away earlier because of the crowd were now visiting the centres to uplift their books. She insisted that her ministry was adhering strictly to its rule which mandated that a pensioner be seen first by an officer before he/she was issued with a book. With regard to shut-ins she informed that many of them were already visited by officers and were issued with their books.

Shadick told this newspaper that there were still many pensioners in Region Four who had not uplifted their books as yet and she called on them to do so quickly in an effort to hasten the process and pave the way for the establishment of the database system, geared to come on stream by June.

Shadick had announced the implementation of a new system to pay Old Age Pension and Public Assistance to reduce fraud but when the system was first introduced on January 14, the distribution process was mired in confusion. For days pensioners were made to stand for hours in the scorching sun and sometimes had to endure the rude and unprofessional attitude of some of the social workers. Many of them had given up and left centres vowing not to return. But yesterday the situation was different. On the East Coast at Cove and John, Enmore, Buxton, Beterverwagting and Plaisance several pensioners visited the post offices and were able to encash their pension vouchers.

At Cove and John it was reported that over 100 pensioners were able to secure their payment in spite of the fact that there was only one teller on duty at the post office. Buxton also reported satisfactory results as did Beterverwagting, and Plaisance. The officer at Beterverwagting told Stabroek News that over 200 pensioners were able to encash their vouchers yesterday. He noted that many of them went to the office very early in the morning while others visited later, but he assured that all of them were satisfied. While Stabroek News was still in the area there were a few pensioners in the office. In Georgetown all of the post offices were working and the postmasters and mistresses made the payments.

Well-ordered lines were evident and the aged stood quietly while some sat as seats were provided for them. One man told Stabroek News that uplifting his book was an arduous task but yesterday he was very relaxed with his new book and money in hand.

Meanwhile, on the East Bank and West Bank there were also good reports. Shadick also confirmed this in the interview. She said that even though she had not received reports from all of the regions and centres, those she got news from had performed admirably. The general feeling of most of the pensioners yesterday was one of satisfaction. Shadick also mentioned that because payment was delayed in January the pensioners were currently receiving payouts for both January and February. She said those who had outstanding payments from last year were also being paid.