Windhoek
Minister of Gender and Social Welfare Doreen Sioka has said there is no timeframe for the registration of vulnerable children in the Khomas Region as well as nationwide.
Following concerns about the timeframe for the registration, Sioka assured the nation that registration for the N$250 social grant for vulnerable children and orphans has no time limit, as it should be done all-year-round.
“Kids are born all-year-round some are orphans and some are vulnerable, so there is no timeframe applicable… unless we guarantee that there will be no new babies born and parents dying, which is not possible at all,” said Sioka last week explaining the rationale of the timeframe complaints raised by residents of the Moses //Garoeb Constituency. Two weeks ago, Moses //Garoeb Constituency residents complained that the ministry of gender has only give them three days to register children for the social grant, which they said was not sufficient to cover the densely populated constituency.
Further, they complained that the limited timeframe exposed them to attacks, as they had to wake up as early as 03h00 in order to be assisted. Shortage of serving staff members was another concern. Sioka responded saying, “Parents should not panic or worry that they are being excluded if they did not get the chance to register, as they can still come to our office at any time and they will be assisted.”
She said the reason the ministry staff are conducting the registration is to bring services closer to the people, especially those that might struggle to make it to the offices or who live far.
The on-going registration started last month and runs until August 18 this year, covering all constituencies in Khomas Region.