Dear Editor,
For some years past the name of Juan Edghill was probably better known than the organisation of which he was then Chairman. It is usually called the Post Office. However, as a statutory utility it is officially listed as the Guyana Post Office Corporation.
This writer may be amongst others who has never seen a report of its annual productivity. Nor are the names of the board members familiar to the public, many of whom have expressed disappointment with the corporation’s performance, particularly when month-end comes around.
At such times can be seen the long queues of senior citizens resignedly waiting to hear the frustrating news that there is no money with which to meet government’s statutory commitments to them. Since the initial vouchers emanate from the National Insurance Scheme at six monthly intervals, and the Old Age Pension Voucher is good for one full year, it certainly seems incumbent on the respective organisations to ensure timely delivery to their many physically indisposed customers, some of whom have to rely on neighbourly help, not to mention having to resort to uncaring taxi drivers.
It defies imagination that the three institutions, which are acquainted with the persistent agony of senior citizens, who hardly have room to rest, are not caring enough to ensure that the GPOC deliver their products on time.
What emerges out of the persistence of this type of ineffectualness is evidence of a chronic inefficiency within the GPOC – an institution whose performance reminds our elder ones of exactly how they functioned ten or more decades ago.
Even if some may forgive the instance of non-payment of pensions on day one, it is simply unacceptable to suffer such maltreatment through to day eight – a not uncommon scenario at more than one location. One wonders if such a hardship should not be investigated by the Ministry of Social Protection.
In the meantime one does not recall a single apology for the continual inconvenience over the years. To those who are steeped in organisational practice the absence of such communication is but evidence of the quality of relationships which obtain within the organisation of GPOC. In turn it is a reflection of the standard of leadership (if any), and related lack of creativity to bring GPOC into the 21st century. One simple example of retardation is the unforgivable indifference to the shabbiest uniform of (postal females) any comparator organisation in the nation. What a standard by which to be judged!
Yours faithfully,
E B John
