Each week, the Guardian Angel column highlights complaints sent in by you, the consumer, and provides solutions or directs you to the appropriate resource.
Problem: Carol Lutchman said she was told the Guardian Angel may be able to help expedite the processing of her NIB retirement benefit. Ms Lutchman said, “I submitted all the required information to the Wrightson Road office since August 2013 in advance of turning age 60 in October.” She said despite following up with NIB each month, nine months later she was still being told that her application couldn't be processed due to a system error.
Solution: Ms Lutchman’s complaint was forwarded to NIB, her application has been expedited and she should receive payment by July 16.
Problem: Denise Hernandez wrote to the Guardian Angel to highlight two problems in Arima. Ms Hernandez said, “The drains along the PBR (Priority Bus Route) from Olton Road west to the river bridge on both sides of the roadway are totally clogged with stagnant water. “The clogging resulted from the Cepep workers who cut the verges regularly not cleaning the drains of grass debris.
“[On] the southern side you cannot tell that there is a drain parallel to the fencing of the church property: the northern side the drain is about 90 per cent full.” Ms Hernandez says she has already tried to have the problem addressed, but to no avail. “Numerous letters to the TPRC (Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation) to have the drains clean have come to naught. The present situation poses a health hazard to all those who live nearby.”
Ms Hernandez says the drains need to be cleaned before the rainy season sets in. She also complained about “red band maxi drivers who ply the Arima–PoS route along the PBR who would park their vehicles just west of the bus stop shed located at Olton Road on the PBR and have lunch and/or urinate at the roadside. “For those of us who have to walk there every day, the place is filthy and smells awful. This is an unhealthy practice and it would be appreciated if these drivers would desist from this practice.”
Solution: We called the County Medical Officer for St George East Ms Hernandez's complaint. Although the public health inspector said an officer would be sent to the site, he also said the TPRC is the organisation responsible for addressing the problem. However, while the TPRC made note of the issue when the Guardian Angel called, the corporation said the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure handles the maintenance of the PBR.
The Highway Division of the MOWI was apprised of the situation and will be looking into the matter. The division is responsible for highways, main roads and the PBR.
Even as you’re encouraged to take the appropriate routes for addressing your complaints, the Guardian Angel is here to assist you. You can send the Guardian Angel an e-mail about your problem and what steps you took to deal with the matter. The Guardian Angel looks forward to hearing from you and bringing some relief to your problems.
E-mail her at:
angel@guardian.co.tt
Please include your name, address and telephone number as we’ll need them to follow up with you.
Unfortunately, owing to the volume of e-mails and limited space, it is impossible to address every complaint, no matter how worthy, or acknowledge receipt of every e-mail.