Govt ‘strongly considering’ basic income grant

Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare Minister, Bishop Zephania Kameeta, has confirmed that government is “strongly considering” introducing a basic income grant (BIG) for poor Namibians, who do not have access to old-age, disability and orphans and vulnerable children grants. He also confirmed that President Hage Geingob has “mentioned” the implementation of a BIG. “But before we can do that we need to have a national dialogue and a national conference to determine the real needs that Namibians have,” said Kameeta. He added that his ministry is in the process of finalising a concept paper on the issue. “It should not be a complicated issue. We have people that are covered by the existing grants and then there are the ones in the middle,” said Kameeta. He also said government must as a matter of urgency address the issue of poverty, because it creates unnecessary problems. “The main reason why so many young people are attracted by this land revolution (Affirmative Repositioning campaign), is because they are suffering. We need to take care of them,” said the minister. He also criticised the community for being extremely passive and for failing to fight for want they want. “I have been the only one fighting for the basic income grant. I hope people will be loud about what they want, when we have the national conference,” said Kameeta. The BIG Coalition last week challenged Kameeta and Geingob to introduce a N$200 grant. According to newly appointed coalition chairperson Wilfred Diergaardt it will cost government only 5 to 6% of the national budget to introduce the grant. According to him, the payout can easily be done through the NamPost smartcard system at minimal cost. Although he commended government for the old-age pension grant and veterans’ payouts, he insisted that more still needs to be done In 2008, the BIG Coalition implemented the first BIG pilot project in Omitara. The Omitara experience has since become the selling point for BIG advocates such as Kameeta. WINDHOEK JEMIMA BEUKES