Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare said that veterans of the liberation struggle and other deserving Namibians are accorded state or official funerals in accordance with the criteria set out in the Veterans Act.

Dr. Ngurare, however, clarified that not all veterans receive official or state funerals.

The premier said the government is fully aware of the growing financial implications of state or official funerals.

He was responding to a question by the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) MP Alosius Kangulu on what the projected cost to the taxpayers over the next 5 to 10 years would be.

"The government budgets $1 million annually for official and state funerals. As I said, it is not certain how many veterans will die in a particular year," said Dr. Ngurare. "Therefore, the projection that is being made by Honourable Kangulu is that in a number of years, such members will die or be budgeted for and how much that will cost. I think he understands, which I'm sure he accepts, is an assumption. However, the Cabinet will make available funds necessary to provide decent funerals to the veterans from time to time, even when that happens."