2016-10-21Staff Report 2 Ongwediva Individuals involved in income-generating actitivies in Ohangwena joined the long list of beneficiaries of free equipment bought by the Namibian government. The Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare continues to complement and to empower these local communities by providing entrepreneurs with free equipment through the Income Generating Activities (IGA) programme, so as to boost new businesses. The equipment and material is supplemented with training in business management skills to capacitate and equip recipients with basic business management skills to run their projects efficiently and profitably. In addition to the profits, the recipients are expected to uplift and improve their livelihoods and subsequently contribute to poverty alleviation. In Ohangwena Region 14 recipients from 11 constituencies on Thusday benefited from the equipment-for-free programme. The equipment was handed over to them by the Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare Doreen Sioka at Eenhana this week. Speaking at the handover, Sioka said the IGA programme aims to encourage the community, especially women, to start their own businesses and employ other jobless Namibians. “Another aim of IGA is to promote the social wellbeing of the communities and promote equality between men and women by encouraging women to partake in IGA’s with a view to economically empower themselves,” said the minister. The minister said IGA strives to inculcate a business culture among community members, with the ultimate goal of meeting the socio-economic needs of the communities. She encouraged community members to embark on economically viable projects that could be sustained in the long-run. She said the ministry would continue to support beneficiaries of the IGA grants,will monitor and provide mentorship and ensure the survival growth and sustainability of such projects, so that in the long run they are organised into a cooperative. Sioka appealed to regional councillors to aid in monitoring the progress of IGAs to ensure the projects benefit all the people in the constituencies and the entire region. She further reminded the recipients to appreciate government’s efforts and the contributions made by taxpayers. “This is also a way of sharing income, because the equipment you are receiving is bought with money from those who pay taxes. Therefore, appreciate this government initiative to economically empower you.” The IGA benefits Namibians 18 years and older, as well as previously disadvantaged people who may not have collateral as security for accessing loans from formal financial institutions. Business-minded Namibians, including the physically challenged and people with disabilities, who believe in their business abilities are encouraged to apply. 2016-10-21Staff Report 2
