Coalition wants N$500 grant
Jauch said lack of funding will not be accepted an excuse as proposed N$500 grant would be a drop in the ocean of government’s budget.
ESTER KAMATI
WINDHOEK
The Economic and Social Justice Trust (ESJT) is persistent that government should introduce a basic income grant (BIG) of N$500 monthly to Namibians between the ages of 19 and 60.
Leader of the trust Herbert Jauch said lack of funding will not be considered an excuse as the money used for the grant would be a drop in the ocean of government’s budget, considering Namibia’s small population.
“This we cannot accept because we have done the calculation. A basic income grant is possible.”
Jauch said in 2019, government promised to review and rework the policy. A universal child grant and the BIG should be two key policies that should be looked at pending the review and subsequent rollout of the policy, he added.
Alleviate poverty
Social entrepreneur Kevin Wessels said that government has the funding potential to roll out a BIG for the low population of 2.5 million people. He said the N$750 Covid-19 grant rolled out to Namibians last year proves government’s capability to alleviate poverty through a similar initiative.
According to Wessels, about N$4 billion of the national budget is needed to cover the BIG, paying N$ 500 to all Namibians between the ages of 19 and 60 years old. “That is 5.5% [of national budget]; it is nothing for the government.”
Wessels added that the youth are tired of promises which do not materialise.
“If a household receives N$3 000, that means that household is able to sustain itself. We are not saying that poverty will be eradicated totally, but it will help alleviate it.”
Went a long way
A BIG pilot project took place in 2008 in Otjivero, a village about 100 km east of Windhoek, where inhabitants received N$100 each for a period of 24 months.
Beneficiaries Josephina Nekwaya (21) and Christa Nekwaya (20) said the small contribution went a long way.
Christa said the grant made a significant change in her community, and added that N$500 can do much more. She further mentioned that the looting of public funds is a contributor to poverty.
“That was one way to show us that there is a way, if there is a will. That little money we got from the pilot study enabled people to go to school.”
Josephina said the Namibian youth are the rightful owners of the country’s resources, but still struggle to make a living.
“We, the youth of Namibia, are cheated out of promising futures as we see the ongoing revelations of the Fishrot saga.”
[email protected]
WINDHOEK
The Economic and Social Justice Trust (ESJT) is persistent that government should introduce a basic income grant (BIG) of N$500 monthly to Namibians between the ages of 19 and 60.
Leader of the trust Herbert Jauch said lack of funding will not be considered an excuse as the money used for the grant would be a drop in the ocean of government’s budget, considering Namibia’s small population.
“This we cannot accept because we have done the calculation. A basic income grant is possible.”
Jauch said in 2019, government promised to review and rework the policy. A universal child grant and the BIG should be two key policies that should be looked at pending the review and subsequent rollout of the policy, he added.
Alleviate poverty
Social entrepreneur Kevin Wessels said that government has the funding potential to roll out a BIG for the low population of 2.5 million people. He said the N$750 Covid-19 grant rolled out to Namibians last year proves government’s capability to alleviate poverty through a similar initiative.
According to Wessels, about N$4 billion of the national budget is needed to cover the BIG, paying N$ 500 to all Namibians between the ages of 19 and 60 years old. “That is 5.5% [of national budget]; it is nothing for the government.”
Wessels added that the youth are tired of promises which do not materialise.
“If a household receives N$3 000, that means that household is able to sustain itself. We are not saying that poverty will be eradicated totally, but it will help alleviate it.”
Went a long way
A BIG pilot project took place in 2008 in Otjivero, a village about 100 km east of Windhoek, where inhabitants received N$100 each for a period of 24 months.
Beneficiaries Josephina Nekwaya (21) and Christa Nekwaya (20) said the small contribution went a long way.
Christa said the grant made a significant change in her community, and added that N$500 can do much more. She further mentioned that the looting of public funds is a contributor to poverty.
“That was one way to show us that there is a way, if there is a will. That little money we got from the pilot study enabled people to go to school.”
Josephina said the Namibian youth are the rightful owners of the country’s resources, but still struggle to make a living.
“We, the youth of Namibia, are cheated out of promising futures as we see the ongoing revelations of the Fishrot saga.”
[email protected]
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