Pensioners await increase announced during March

MORE than 100 000 pensioners on Government social grants are still awaiting the N$70 increase announced during the Budget presentation almost three months ago.

Finance Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila announced on March 16 that pension grants would be upped by N$70 to N$370 a month. However, the money has not yet reached the targeted people.Senior officials in the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare said yesterday that they did not know when the money would be available.”They have to be patient.It’s coming,” said a source within the Ministry.”I don’t have the exact date but it’s coming this year,” she said.She refused to confirm whether the money would be available at the end of this month.”Sometimes things take longer than we expect,” she said.Another source reportedly told a pensioner that President Hifikepunye Pohamba had not yet signed the Expropriation Bill (Budget) as it was only recently passed by the National Council.A Tsumeb pensioner said they have been very patient and wondered why there was such a long delay.The latest increases will cost the State N$124 million during the 2006-07 financial year.Government will spend N$395 million over the next three years to maintain the N$70 increase.The Ministry officials said the increase would be backdated to the end of April.Late last year pensioners demonstrated for an increase to N$700 a month. Finance Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila announced on March 16 that pension grants would be upped by N$70 to N$370 a month.However, the money has not yet reached the targeted people.Senior officials in the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare said yesterday that they did not know when the money would be available.”They have to be patient.It’s coming,” said a source within the Ministry.”I don’t have the exact date but it’s coming this year,” she said.She refused to confirm whether the money would be available at the end of this month.”Sometimes things take longer than we expect,” she said.Another source reportedly told a pensioner that President Hifikepunye Pohamba had not yet signed the Expropriation Bill (Budget) as it was only recently passed by the National Council.A Tsumeb pensioner said they have been very patient and wondered why there was such a long delay.The latest increases will cost the State N$124 million during the 2006-07 financial year.Government will spend N$395 million over the next three years to maintain the N$70 increase.The Ministry officials said the increase would be backdated to the end of April.Late last year pensioners demonstrated for an increase to N$700 a month.However, the money has not yet reached the targeted people.Senior officials in the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare said yesterday that they did not know when the money would be available.”They have to be patient.It’s coming,” said a source within the Ministry.”I don’t have the exact date but it’s coming this year,” she said.She refused to confirm whether the money would be available at the end of this month.”Sometimes things take longer than we expect,” she said.Another source reportedly told a pensioner that President Hifikepunye Pohamba had not yet signed the Expropriation Bill (Budget) as it was only recently passed by the National Council.A Tsumeb pensioner said they have been very patient and wondered why there was such a long delay.The latest increases will cost the State N$124 million during the 2006-07 financial year.Government will spend N$395 million over the next three years to maintain the N$70 increase.The Ministry officials said the increase would be backdated to the end of April.Late last year pensioners demonstrated for an increase to N$700 a month. Finance Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila announced on March 16 that pension grants would be upped by N$70 to N$370 a month.However, the money has not yet reached the targeted people.Senior officials in the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare said yesterday that they did not know when the money would be available.”They have to be patient.It’s coming,” said a source within the Ministry.”I don’t have the exact date but it’s coming this year,” she said.She refused to confirm whether the money would be available at the end of this month.”Sometimes things take longer than we expect,” she said.Another source reportedly told a pensioner that President Hifikepunye Pohamba had not yet signed the Expropriation Bill (Budget) as it was only recently passed by the National Council.A Tsumeb pensioner said they have been very patient and wondered why there was such a long delay.The latest increases will cost the State N$124 million during the 2006-07 financial year.Government will spend N$395 million over the next three years to maintain the N$70 increase.The Ministry officials said the increase would be backdated to the end of April.Late last year pensioners demonstrated for an increase to N$700 a month.