Outjo: Unemployed residents flocked to the Outjo Municipality on Tuesday, seeking proof of residence letters to apply for the Ministry of Poverty Eradication’s Basic Income Grant initiative. Municipal officials however denied their requests, citing various issues.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the residents expressed frustration, with one stating, “We are just here to get proof of residence, and they are saying we must pay for plots before they can help us.” The angry crowd gathered to voice their complaints to the town’s acting Chief Executive Officer, Immanuel Tjipurua. Tjipurua informed the crowd that the municipality was not aware of the basic income grant’s application requirements.
Tjipurua explained, “We cannot provide proof of residence to everyone as some people camp on other people’s plots illegally. We were not aware of the programme’s requirements, and we cannot individually provide proof of residence to everyone,” further claiming not to have been informed by the relevant ministry. He note
d a lack of communication from the Ministry of Gender offices in Outjo, attributing the situation to a misunderstanding.
The acting CEO assured the residents that the municipality will liaise with the ministry to discuss how the complainants can obtain residence permits to apply for the basic income grant. The Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare, through the Harambee Prosperity Plan, provides vulnerable and marginalised communities with a conditional Basic Income Grant. The application process requires identity documents, permanent residence permits, marriage certificates, and birth certificates.
In a media advisory released early in October, the ministry requested all regional councils, local authority councils, and other stakeholders to assist in ensuring that eligible applicants receive the grants.