Ministry of Finance avails N$10 million for pensions

By: CHRISTOF MALETSKY

ABOUT 30 000 State pensioners who were unable to access their monthly allowances through banks and post offices last week, started receiving their money yesterday.

The Deputy Director of Social Assistance in the Ministry of Health,

Albert Biwa, said the Ministry of Finance had acted swiftly and was

able to get N$10 million for the pensioners.

"Everything has now been ironed out.

 

The Ministry of Finance acted swiftly," Biwa said.

 

The recent changes in ministries was blamed for the pension

delay.

 

The Social Assistance Division was moved from the Ministry of

Health and Social Services to the Ministry of Labour when President

Hifikepunye Pohamba announced his first Cabinet.

 

The Child Welfare division was earlier moved from the Ministry

of Health to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Welfare.

 

Biwa said the money had always been there but that the

restructuring of ministerial functions had made it impossible to

release the funds.

 

New vote numbers had to be allocated to the division social

assistance.

 

Government takes care of more than 100 000 pensioners, who each

receive N$300 a month.

 

"Everything has now been ironed out.The Ministry of Finance acted

swiftly," Biwa said.The recent changes in ministries was blamed for

the pension delay.The Social Assistance Division was moved from the

Ministry of Health and Social Services to the Ministry of Labour

when President Hifikepunye Pohamba announced his first Cabinet. The

Child Welfare division was earlier moved from the Ministry of

Health to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Welfare.Biwa said

the money had always been there but that the restructuring of

ministerial functions had made it impossible to release the

funds.New vote numbers had to be allocated to the division social

assistance.Government takes care of more than 100 000 pensioners,

who each receive N$300 a month.

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