The Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication, and Social Welfare is in the process of implementing the Conditional Basic Income Grant, which could extend the current list of former Food Bank beneficiaries.
The beneficiaries receive N$600 per month per household.
The ministry was responding to questions from RDP MP Kennedy Shekupakela concerning the envisaged Conditional Basic Income Grant programme.
Shekupakela sought clarification on the programme's objectives, promises made, and its expected extension to include unemployed citizens between the ages of 18 and 59.
Its Deputy Minister Bernadette Jagger explained that the government is currently in the process of implementing the Conditional Basic Income Grant, as outlined in the 2nd Harambee Prosperity Plan.
The plan directs the ministry to convert the Food Bank Programme and Marginalised Special Feeding Programme into a monthly cash transfer.
"Currently, the Ministry is developing programme documents that will spell out the criteria for the rollout of CBIG. Once the eligibility criteria are finalised, CBIG will be rolled out to the targeted group."
RDP MP Shekupakela also questioned the accuracy of statements made by Minister Doreen Soika that hunger and poverty in the Mashare community in Kavango East would soon be eradicated.
"The minister, in her address, revealed very good news that all the people in the country and Kavangos in particular are looking forward to. Was the Honourable Minister correctly quoted when she was making promises to the Mashare community in the Kavango East that hunger and poverty will soon be something of the past and no Namibian should go to bed hungry anymore?"
Jagger explained that Sioka was misunderstood, saying she only conveyed the government's commitment to enhancing social protection interventions to support individuals living in poverty and empower them through a range of government initiatives.
She added that the phased rollout of CBIG is slated to commence in 2024/2025, subject to the availability of funds.