Following a series of complaints from members of the public, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Hon. Dr. Vindhya Persaud met with a number of Local Boards of Guardians (LBG) yesterday to get to the bottom of these complaints. The Local Boards of Guardians are installed groups of persons who are specifically tasked with reviewing applications for public assistance within their respective catchment areas.
In the meeting were Permanent Secretary, Shannielle Hossein-Outar, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Finance), Chamalee Rohee, Deputy Director of Social Services, Hamwanttie Bisesar, Difficult Circumstances Unit Manager, Mahendra Budhram and Principal Personnel Officer, Rafael Boodhoo.
The LBGs were from Lusignan, Mahaicony and Fort Wellington. Minister Persaud shared that the LBGs were created to help vulnerable persons in the communities to be aided enough to get back into an independent lifestyle with the help of the temporary service, Public Assistance.
The LBGs were reminded that the Ministry offers trainings to up-skill persons in order to make them independent. The Minister highlighted that the LBG meetings were essential to better serve the public since these boards are the eyes and ears on the ground and the first line of interface with the most vulnerable members of society who are in dire need of assistance.
The meetings are scheduled to continue across all administrative Regions.
