Veterans Ministry requests N$22,9 million

THE Ministry of Veterans’ Affairs will receive N$22,98 million for its ?rst budget, according to its Minister, Dr Ngarikutuke Tjiriange.

The funds are needed to manage and administer the social bene?ts and needs of veterans, initiate income-generating projects for them and to train some veterans to set up self-help programmes, the Minister said Monday. “We also plan to assist veterans who will be resettled to engage them in productive activities.Another priority is to develop speci?c plans for long-term economic activities that would bene?t veterans and their families for sustainable livelihood.”In its attempt to reintegrate veterans into Namibian society, it had become Government’s permanent responsibility through constitutional requirements to improve the welfare of all veterans, Tjiriange added, without disclosing what de?nition Government would apply.Under the previous legislation war veterans receive a monthly grant only if they fought for the Peoples’ Liberation Army of Namibia (Plan).Those Namibians who served in the former SWA Territory Force (SWATF) do not receive a monthly Government pension for war veterans.The Ministry would in due course register all veterans and maintain a national register, Tjiriange informed the House.”The majority of veterans are in remote areas of which some areas are totally impassable, identi?cation and registration will be expensive undertakings.”The Ministry of Veterans’ Affairs would also start a programme to document the history of the national liberation struggle, which required proper research and data collection.”This programme will not only focus on veterans but also on their families that were left destitute without breadwinners and shelter.Many people, possibly thousands, suffered permanent damage,” he added.”We also plan to assist veterans who will be resettled to engage them in productive activities.Another priority is to develop speci?c plans for long-term economic activities that would bene?t veterans and their families for sustainable livelihood.”In its attempt to reintegrate veterans into Namibian society, it had become Government’s permanent responsibility through constitutional requirements to improve the welfare of all veterans, Tjiriange added, without disclosing what de?nition Government would apply.Under the previous legislation war veterans receive a monthly grant only if they fought for the Peoples’ Liberation Army of Namibia (Plan).Those Namibians who served in the former SWA Territory Force (SWATF) do not receive a monthly Government pension for war veterans.The Ministry would in due course register all veterans and maintain a national register, Tjiriange informed the House.”The majority of veterans are in remote areas of which some areas are totally impassable, identi?cation and registration will be expensive undertakings.”The Ministry of Veterans’ Affairs would also start a programme to document the history of the national liberation struggle, which required proper research and data collection.”This programme will not only focus on veterans but also on their families that were left destitute without breadwinners and shelter.Many people, possibly thousands, suffered permanent damage,” he added.