Police question three ministry officials
Stabroek News
October 27, 2002
Three employees of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security were released on Friday after being in custody for two days assisting police investigating the Old Age Pension scam.
On Thursday morning in full view of scores of employees at the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security police officers descended upon the three employees who were taken out of their offices and escorted by the ranks to Eve Leary.
Allegations being investigated include the padding of old age pension lists. A new system was introduced this year to thwart corrupt practices.
On October 7, Minister within the Human Services Ministry, Bibi Shadick had said that the probe into the matter had been intensified. It has resulted in 31 persons including former postmasters and counter clerks in the country's postal service being questioned. Shadick had stated in a Government Information Agency press release that pension books and a quantity of coupons held by a former postmaster had been uncovered.
Shadick had added that the ministry had printed a total of 40,000 pension books but because the lists from social workers in the regions had not been submitted with the names of pensioners currently receiving pensions, the ministry had no way of accounting for all the books already distributed.
Staff members on Friday questioned why the three officers were detained by the police, saying that they had no direct dealings with the distribution of the pension booklets.