The Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) has made available a biometric verification handheld device to the Omuntele constituency office in the Oshikoto region on Monday.
The handover forms part of the fund’s ongoing efforts to bring essential services closer to its beneficiaries, particularly elderly individuals residing in remote areas who had to travel long distances for the mandatory verification process.
GIPF marketing manager Amos Kambonde during the handover said the fund introduced its biometric enrolment and verification system in 2022.
He said the system is crucial for verifying the over 55 000 beneficiaries of the fund.
The Omuntele constituency office is the second to receive this technology, following a successful initial rollout at the Omatako constituency office in the Otjozondjupa region in October 2024.
GIPF plans to further expand this service to the Omuthiya and Tsumeb constituency offices in the Oshikoto region, as well as to the Okongo constituency office in the Ohangwena region and other remote constituencies.
The fund will also train officers on how to use the devices.
Kambonde, however, made it clear that the device will only be made available to the constituency offices that are in remote areas, noting that beneficiaries who are close to their main offices should continue to visit their offices to be verified.
Omuntele constituency’s control administrative officer, Lasarus Neshuku, commended GIPF for bringing services closer to the community as pensioners previously complained about travelling to Ondangwa to access the services.
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