Dear Claudienne

I live in the Boscobel area of St Mary. One night in September 2009 my car was slightly damaged when it dropped into a manhole that did not have a cover. In order to prevent other vehicles from dropping into it I placed a stick and other debris in the manhole. There is raw sewage running through the manhole and it is a dangerous situation as children could drop into this hole.

The cover was destroyed by heavy duty vehicles carrying construction material.

I have made several complaints to the National Water Commission (NWC) office in Port Maria but to no avail.

Please see what you can do to help me.

MW

Dear MW

We called the NWC office in Port Maria and were advised that the Marescaux Road Waste Water office of the NWC deals with such matters.

We also contacted the Public Relations Manager of the NWC.

You told us that two weeks ago the Waste Water manager brought a manhole cover that was the wrong size and shape and on your suggestion, left it at your premises. You expressed disappointment that they had not returned to adjust and fit the cover over the manhole.

However, the Public Relations Manager checked with the Waste Water office and has advised Tell Claudienne that what was delivered to the location was the frame and cover to replace the existing structure. He said that the construction work is being scheduled.

He explained that because there is only one waste water construction team in the eastern division (in which St Mary falls) and they also have to deal with emergencies, a definitive date and time cannot be given for the construction work to be done.

He promised that the matter would be resolved shortly. We will follow this up.

Good luck.

Too late for late husband’s pension claim

Dear Claudienne

My husband was shot dead in April 1999 a short distance from his workplace.

In 2004 I went to the NIS office at Ripon Road to apply for the death grant and to get an allowance for my daughter. They said it was too late for me to get the death grant but they gave me some forms to fill out and return which I did. I did not hear from them and when I contacted them in 2008 I was told that because I live in Portmore the file was sent to Spanish Town. I went to Spanish Town and filled out more forms and answered more questions and my neighbours also signed papers verifying that we had been living together for more than five years.

Why did they have me fill out all these forms and interview my neighbours then deny my claim?

Could you also check for me why my NIS pension is only $1,019.44 per week? I worked and paid NIS contributions between 1972 to 1996 so I think my pension should be more.

Please check on this for me.

CB

Dear CB

The NIS has advised Tell Claudienne that your claim could not be honoured because you applied for it outside the three-year claim limit.

The forms you were given were to enable you to apply for your husband’s pension benefit. However, you were 49 years old when he died and you would have had to be at least 55 years of age to qualify for a one-year pension benefit.

Your claim in April 2004 was also late, and to be considered would have had to be made by April 2001, NIS explained.

In regard to your NIS pension, the Claims Department has advised us that what you are getting is a partial pension as some of your years of contributions to the scheme are still outstanding.

The Claims Manager said that your file has been referred to the Ripon Road NIS office for research to be done into your outstanding contributions.

Have a problem with a store, utility, a company? Telephone 936-9436 or write to: Tell Claudienne c/o Sunday Finance, Jamaica Observer, 40-42 1/2 Beechwood Avenue, Kingston 5; or e-mail: edwardsc@jamaicaobserver.com. Please include a contact phone number.