Africa-Press – Angola. The Minister of National Defense, Former Combatants and Veterans of the Fatherland, João Ernesto dos Santos “Liberdade”, foresees, soon, an increase in the monthly pension of those assisted by this ministerial department.
The ruler was speaking, this Thursday, in the city of Cuito, during a meeting with former combatants, veterans of the country, widows, orphans and ancestors of Bié, within the framework of the Central Act of the Commemorations of the 15th of March, the Day of the Expansion of Armed Struggle for National Liberation, to be held in this province.
The government official clarified that the implementation of the pension increase only awaits the approval of the Holder of the Executive Power and President of the Republic, João Lourenço.
“Therefore, I want to reassure you about the implementation, at any time, of this measure, as soon as the proposal is approved by the Holder of the Executive Branch”, said the minister, ensuring that the technical teams did their due work.
Without, however, revealing the expected rate of the next pension, he highlighted that the intention is part of strategies to improve the living conditions of those assisted and their dependents, in recognition of the efforts made during the struggle to liberate Angola from the colonial yoke.
The intention to increase the monthly pension granted to those receiving assistance, currently set at 23 thousand kwanzas, is an initiative of the responsible Ministry, in partnership with the Ministry of Finance, and was announced last year, during the discussion of the General Budget proposal for the State (OGE) for the 2024 economic year.
This measure, according to Minister Ernesto dos Santos Liberdade, is a consequence of the process of re-registration of those assisted in the ministry’s database, completed in 2023, which culminated in the identification of more than 68 thousand pensioners, including former combatants and veterans. of the country, widows, orphans and ascendants.
These, he continued, were considered legitimate pensioners, as they met the required requirements and continued to benefit from their rights, on a regular basis, compared to the more than 162 thousand previously existing, with the remainder being removed from the database.
On the other hand, he also ensured the continuation of the process of granting identification cards to pensioners, which, according to the government official, will guarantee numerous benefits and greater dignity to this segment of society.
Those present also presented other concerns, such as greater access to housing projects, public transport, scholarships for assisted children, greater inclusion of public programs and financing, to boost socioeconomic projects.
In response, Minister João Ernesto dos Santos “Liberdade” said that the government is attentive to these and other situations and will continue to work towards their gradual resolution.
For his part, the governor of Bié, Pereira Alfredo, made it known that the province’s former combatants, in addition to the contribution they made to the nation, are still engaged in productive tasks.
However, he also said that there are numerous challenges to improving the living conditions of this segment of society in the region, such as continued inclusion in government programs and productive activities, the solution of which will depend on the combination of efforts between the local and central government, to that they have the dignity they deserve.
The 15th of March 1961 was established on the 10th of August 2018, following the approval, by the Angolan Parliament, of the Proposed Law to Amend the Law on National Holidays, Places and Dates of National Celebration.
The anniversary serves to remember the attacks perpetrated by Angolans attached to the embryo of the Union of Peoples of Angola (UPA), in the north of the country.
The celebrations for the 63rd anniversary of the anniversary will take place under the motto “March 15, 1961-Former combatants, living symbol of a historic past”.
For More News And Analysis About Angola Follow Africa-Press
