Lukato pushes for N.dollars 5000 pension grant in parliament

WINDHOEK, 17 APR (NAMPA) - National Democratic Party leader, Martin Lukato is calling for the prioritisation of the elderly as a matter of principle, and thus recommends an old-age grant of N.dollars 5 000.
Lukato made the call while delivering his maiden speech in the National Assembly on Wednesday.
According to him, the N.dollars 3 000 proposed last year by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is not sufficient to cater for pensioners’ needs. Currently, pensioners receive N.dollars 1 600.
“Now, Madam President has assumed the highest office in the land. But following her inauguration, she stated that the increase will not happen this year, citing youth development as the current budgetary priority.
“I acknowledge and respect her leadership. Indeed, the youth are the future. But let us also not forget: our pensioners raised those very youths. And now, they are being asked to wait again. This Parliament has a duty to reaffirm that promise. We must prioritise the elderly not just as a matter of policy, but as a matter of principle. We must remember that dignity in retirement is a human right, not a campaign slogan,” Lukato stated.
For other social groups, he proposed an increment from N.dollars 1600 to N.dollars 2 000.
(NAMPA)
EB/ND