Conditional basic income grant extended to more towns

The Ministry of Gender Equality, Child Welfare and Poverty Eradication has started registering qualifying households countrywide for the conditional basic income grant.

Acting executive director in the ministry Nichlas Mbingeneeko says the ministry is rolling out the conditional basic income grant as part of the transition from the food bank programme and the marginalised communities special feeding programme.

Speaking to The Namibian on Wednesday, Mbingeneeko said the grant will direct monthly cash transfers of N$600 to eligible households, including in newly added towns.

In April 2022, all the existing food bank beneficiaries in the 14 regions in selected towns were transitioned from food parcels to cash of N$500 per household per month, he said.

This money was given to the head of the household or an alternate member appointed by the head of the household. A total of 8 238 households were beneficiaries of the conditional basic income grant at that time, he noted.

“During the months of November and December, the teams from the ministry will visit the various towns in the different regions in order to continue with the registration, re-registration, verification and validation of beneficiaries and households at designated re-registration points in each town.

“This exercise will ensure that all households where vulnerable people and/or destitute persons reside are duly assessed and registered if they meet the assessment criteria,” said Mbingeneeko.

Towns previously excluded and now being added are: Walvis Bay, Henties Bay, Arandis, Omaruru, Usakos, Rehoboth, Aranos, Karasburg, Oranjemund, Ongwediva, Okahao, Oshikuku, Outjo, Oniipa, Omuthiya, Grootfontein, Okakarara, Otavi and Helao Nafidi.

Mbingeneeko said this is according to a Cabinet directive given to the ministry to roll out the conditional basic income grant to all proclaimed urban areas.

Last year, the ministry collected data from the towns that were previously excluded, which showed that a total of 12 699 qualifying beneficiaries need to be registered, he said. However, the ministry noted that this number may increase as some towns did not provide the requested data within the time frame provided.

“We urge regional councils, local authority councils and all other stakeholders to assist the ministry in this endeavour to ensure the grant reaches the deserving members of the society.

“We urge the community to bring along all national documents for themselves and members of their households, including permanent residence permits and marriage certificates when collecting the grant or for registration,” he added.

The food bank programme forms part of the Harambee Prosperity Plan II’s social progression pillar of taking a people-centred approach to development, to ensure improved quality of life for all Namibians, especially the most vulnerable members of society.

The first goal of the social progression pillar is to have zero deaths from hunger or poverty during the period from 2021 to 2025.
This includes household food security, consolidation of social grants and the food bank.