Africa-Press – Namibia. Officials from the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare on Wednesday held an information-sharing session at Omuthiya to update beneficiaries on social grants.
Wilbard Nashandi, the ministry’s director of policy planning and research, said the information-sharing session allowed beneficiaries to ask questions and share advice or concerns about the planned transition.
Nashandi said as funds distributor Epupa Investment Technology’s contract comes to an end, beneficiaries will receive a double payment in September for both the September and October grants.
Nashandi said NamPost will start with the new mandate on 1 October, but their first grant payments will be done in November.
With the transition, the government will save an estimated N$58 million.
“The collaboration with Epupa was an expense; this money can now be injected into other government projects,” he said.
He said the change benefits beneficiaries by lowering the risks they face when receiving their grants in cash.
“Channelling the money into bank accounts offers beneficiaries security and flexibility in their purchasing options,” said Nashandi.
Beneficiary Hileni Johannes told Nampa she is happy with the government’s idea as it guarantees the safety of their money.
“Putting our money in a NamPost account is a good idea because it offers three free withdrawals, and we will no longer be at risk of being robbed of our grant,” she said.
The information session team is expected to be at Tsumeb on Thursday and will conclude their visit to the Oshikoto region on Monday.
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