Minister Singh to assist in resolving NIS issues in Berbice

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and Public Service, Dr Ashni Singh, will visit Berbice to resolve issues relating to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) following numerous complaints from residents.

Vice President and General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, gave this assurance during his weekly press briefing at Freedom House on Thursday.

Dr Jagdeo explained that during his visit to Berbice last weekend, he held four community meetings where these complaints were raised.

“They kept complaining about the NIS, and I had to explain to them that we have already helped nearly 10,000 people who had NIS problems in the past few years, who submitted their names, etcetera… So I said Ashni Singh will come. He will go to the NIS office with the staff and work with people,” Dr Jagdeo said.

He added that the government has allocated $10 billion in the budget for NIS contributors with between 500 and 749 contributions, who previously did not qualify for a pension.

“And this is from the 1970s all the way to now. They will now get a cheque in two months, and it will be a substantial amount of money. They will get back some of the contributions that they made to the NIS,” he continued.

This initiative, the PPP General Secretary said, will benefit approximately 8,000 or more people.

Still on Berbice, he noted that significant work has been undertaken on roads and drainage in the region, with subvention increasing from $5 million to $20 million.

He also highlighted other developments, including the awarding of three contracts for the construction of a four-lane road from Moleson Creek to New Amsterdam, which is expected to commence soon.

“The financial proposal for the new Berbice Bridge… will be opened, I think before the end of this month or maybe next month,” he added.