Spending on social welfare goes up

GOVERNMENT plans to increase its expenditure on social welfare this financial year, allocating N$652,2 million for this purpose through the 2006-07 National Budget.

This amount is N$133 million more than it spent during the last financial year. On Tuesday, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Alpheus !Naruseb told the National Assembly that he was concerned that citizens who qualified for welfare grants were not properly informed about these.This year, N$70 000 will be spent on awareness campaigns.A budget of N$594 million is will be required to increase pensions for 148 600 senior citizens by N$70 a month and to pay disability grants.If the budget is approved, pensioners will receive N$370 a month.!Naruseb said that Government expected the number of pensioners to increase from the current 138 900 to 148 600 this financial year.The State has also budgeted N$17,3 million for funeral benefits for the vulnerable to ensure decent and dignified burials.War veterans and the dependants of deceased freedom fighters, who currently number around 1 831, will receive N$14 million in social assistance.A whopping N$24 million will be paid to the company contracted to pay out social benefits to beneficiaries.A further N$245 000 will go towards supporting the establishment of pay-point committees throughout the country who will disseminate information to social grant recipients in their communities and receive complaints concerning difficulties in receiving benefit payments.NamPost and United Africa Paymasters are currently responsible for the payout of basic State grants, but their contract lapses next month, when new tender bids will be invited.On Tuesday, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Alpheus !Naruseb told the National Assembly that he was concerned that citizens who qualified for welfare grants were not properly informed about these.This year, N$70 000 will be spent on awareness campaigns.A budget of N$594 million is will be required to increase pensions for 148 600 senior citizens by N$70 a month and to pay disability grants.If the budget is approved, pensioners will receive N$370 a month.!Naruseb said that Government expected the number of pensioners to increase from the current 138 900 to 148 600 this financial year.The State has also budgeted N$17,3 million for funeral benefits for the vulnerable to ensure decent and dignified burials.War veterans and the dependants of deceased freedom fighters, who currently number around 1 831, will receive N$14 million in social assistance.A whopping N$24 million will be paid to the company contracted to pay out social benefits to beneficiaries.A further N$245 000 will go towards supporting the establishment of pay-point committees throughout the country who will disseminate information to social grant recipients in their communities and receive complaints concerning difficulties in receiving benefit payments.NamPost and United Africa Paymasters are currently responsible for the payout of basic State grants, but their contract lapses next month, when new tender bids will be invited.