Pensioners having hard time

THE EDITOR, Madam:

The 10 of us retired professionals, octogenarians and nonagenarians, in our varying ‘can-hardly’ state, groan aloud when we hear mention of essential services. It means nothing to us if it refers to Jamaica Public Service (JPS), National Water Commission, National Works Agency, and two telecoms companies that offer substandard services. Our pension was paid into bank accounts by August 24. We went to collect our amounts at the bank and we found that the money was not enough to take care of our usual bills. All service providers had increased their rates.

The amount lodged in the bank could not pay for utilities and groceries, as had been done for the past years. The amount could only pay for subtly increased utility bills. Up to July of this year I was able to pay my bills and buy groceries.

The JPS bill, for instance, has moved from under $5,000 to over $10,000. The water bill has increased in the midst of our worst drought, and the telephone bills have moved out of range. We now have no source for groceries, and we have nowhere to turn for help.

The OUR has left us speechless by granting more privileges to JPS. How could this be allowed to happen? Pensioners are literally suffering, and we wonder if we’ll have proper essential services in our lifetime.

Lord, we cry unto Thee!

VERONICA BLAKE CARNEGIE