It said distribution started on January 13 in Regions Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam), Three (West Demerara/Essequibo Islands), Four (Demerara/Mahaica), Five (Mahaica/Berbice), Six (East Berbice/Corentyne), Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni) and 10 (Upper Demerara/Berbice).

In Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo), the process began on Monday and will begin in Region One (Barima/Waini) next week.

Acknowledging "a few minor problems" that were solved by its officials, the ministry explained that, of the 37,000 books ordered, 20,800 were distributed to officers and reports from all the regions indicated a massive turnout each day at the centres.

The ministry said: "In order to ease the delay in pensioners receiving their books, officers worked on Saturdays and Sundays. The island of Wakenaam was serviced Saturday and Sunday."

The ministry reported that, during the first week of distribution, some 50 per cent of the pensioners received their books and retroactive payment.

It reminded pensioners/agents of the five per cent increase, retroactive from January 2002, meaning that a pensioner who was in receipt since January 2002 should get $1,104 backpay plus the January payment of $2,924.

A pensioner who was receiving from April 2002 is entitled to $828 backpay and the January sum of $2,648.

The ministry said it is the duty of each officer to write that information on the cover of the book of every person who started to receive pension in 2002.

It added that recipients of Public Assistance will begin getting their books on February 10 and benefit from the raise which would push that allowance to $1,220 but with no retroactivity for 2002.