NIS urged by Finance Minister to improve service quality

A call has been made by Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh for improved quality of service from the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).Dr Singh as speaking on Tuesday during the ceremony to commemorate the Scheme’s 53rd anniversary.

The minister noted that while not discrediting the current work of the Scheme, disclosed the importance of the institution delivering quality service to all Guyanese.

“We have a longstanding obligation to serve the most vulnerable in our society in particular. And by particular, I mean in a compassionate manner, driven by the high ideals of public service. Nobody walking into an NIS office should be treated with disrespect or contempt,” he said.

Minister Singh expressed admiration for the numerous hardworking and dedicated individuals working within the company. “Notwithstanding the progress that has been made by the scheme… much more remains to be done.” Dr Singh noted.

The minister revealed that since the appointment of current chairman of the NIS Board of Directors, Ramesh Persaud, the Scheme has seen a significant reduction in backlogged claims, from over 14,000 to less than 1,000.

Further, Minister Singh urged the NIS to re-implement  the previous practice of sending contribution statements to employers, to avoid difficulty finding contributions of employees when they are ready to register for their pensions.

As such, NIS Training Officer, Dane Chesney, has assured that these suggestions will be immediately integrated into the NIS training module so that they become an intrinsic part of NIS.