BIG registration attracts over 300 applicants at Kavango

The Basic Income Grant (BIG) registration attracted more than 300 residents at Rundu in the Kavango East region on Monday.

This is after the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare announced the registration of unemployed eligible individuals and low income earners.

Ministry spokesperson Lukas Haufiku says the registration process for the conditional BIG is underway and is designed to be inclusive and accessible to all eligible individuals.

He says the ministry has established a clear timeline for registration.

“The registration process for the BIG operates on a first come, first serve basis, which is intended to ensure fairness and transparency,” Haufiku says.

“We understand that concerns about fairness can arise in crowded situations; however, the services provided by the ministry are centred around service excellence, fair, transparent and without favouritism,” Haufiku notes.

Haufiku highlights the incident which resulted in an individual sustaining an injury while entering the registration venue, extending wishes for a swift recovery and encouraging everyone to adhere to the established protocols for their own safety and that of others.

He adds it was disheartening to witness individuals rushing into the venue despite having been allocated numbers for orderly processing.

“The system is designed so that arriving first in the registration hall does not change one’s position in the queue; officials serve individuals strictly according to the numbers recorded on the registration list,” Haufiku says.

He encourages all eligible beneficiaries to take advantage of this opportunity and register as soon as possible.

Tuhingureni resident Anna Nchindo who got injured during the BIG registration says she arrived at 04h00 to queue and when the gate was opened, people started pushing one another.

“I was pushed by people who were behind me, scrambling to enter the gate. My right leg got stuck onto the sliding gate while the security guard was closing the gate. I got hurt on the knee,” says Nchindo.

She confirms being assited to register before leaving to seek medical attention.

Kehemu resident Anna Mundinda says they went to the ministry on Sunday night to save spots.

Mundinda claims there is unfairness in the registration process.

“People in charge are allowing their relatives to enter first, while we are in the queue since last night,” Mundinda says.

Mundinda says regional leaders, the ministry and councillors should make more registration venues available