United Africa Pension payouts are a pain: MP

UNITED Africa, a company contracted by Government as paymasters of State pensions and social grants, came under fire in the National Council yesterday.

A Swapo MP from the Ohangwena Region, Ruth Nhinda, accused the company of letting old people wait for hours in the sun at pay points. “Sometimes, you find the poor elderly people waiting for a long time but United Africa will not come on time,” said Nhinda.She was speaking during debate on the N$787,2 million allocated to the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare in the 2007/2008 Budget in the National Council.Nhinda said some of the pensioners are very old and are brought to pay points in wheelbarrows because they cannot walk.”Some are travelling long distances and find it difficult to go back home because it is far.”Some are crippled,” she said.Others are robbed along the way if they return home too late.Nhinda called on the Ministry to establish more pay points and urged United Africa to deliver better services.”Sometimes, you find the poor elderly people waiting for a long time but United Africa will not come on time,” said Nhinda.She was speaking during debate on the N$787,2 million allocated to the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare in the 2007/2008 Budget in the National Council.Nhinda said some of the pensioners are very old and are brought to pay points in wheelbarrows because they cannot walk.”Some are travelling long distances and find it difficult to go back home because it is far.”Some are crippled,” she said.Others are robbed along the way if they return home too late.Nhinda called on the Ministry to establish more pay points and urged United Africa to deliver better services.