Walvis Bay residents worry that strict registration requirements might deprive them of receiving money from the government’s basic income grant (BIG).
The Ministry of Gender Equality, Child Welfare and Poverty Eradication is currently busy with registration in various towns for the grant which will ensure a monthly provision of N$600 to eligible households.
Registration includes towns previously excluded, such as Walvis Bay, Henties Bay, Arandis, Omaruru, Usakos, Rehoboth, Aranos, Karasburg, Oranjemund, Ongwediva, Okahao, Oshikuku, Outjo, Oniipa, Omuthiya, Grootfontein, Okakarara, Otavi and Helao Nafidi.
The Walvis Bay residents who have been queuing at constituency offices since last week, on Tuesday said it is challenging to present all the required documentation and that the process was too slow.
“Some house owners are not staying in Walvis Bay. It is thus difficult for us who rent to get forms for them to complete. We are told that we need the owners’ marriage certificate, municipal papers and so on. The time period for registration is also too short. I heard that in other towns they only came with identity documents,” said Maureen Somaes.
“As you can see, there are a lot of people who rent. The time is also too short, as the last day is on 22 November. There is no time to collect all those documents. There are still a lot of people out there,” said Liesel Garises.
“The process is long. Nobody comes to give us updates. What will happen to those who are still not helped? Some people are sent home. We need something simple and fast,” said Connie Byjl.
Ministry public relations officer Lukas Haufiku says there are challenges, mainly people trying to trick the system to benefit from the grants.
“Some people showed up without bills, a key requirement that shows where the person resides. Some exaggerate shack ownership. If someone claims that there are twelve shacks on a small piece of land plus a house, it calls for scrutiny. There are also cases of fabrications of deceased landlords, but the applicants lack the necessary death certificates.
“There are disputes at some estates, which hinder some people from proving where they live. Some do not have identity documents, which complicates the verification process, as it requires further scrutiny. Some landlords are trying to register despite receiving an income. Some landlords earn as much as N$7 000 from 7 shacks. How does it make sense to register?” he says.
Haufiku says the registration is for those living in urban areas, and that informal and formal settlements will follow soon.
He says the ministry is committed to working through the challenges and exploring solutions to register the intended beneficiaries.
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