Omuntele: The Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) has taken a significant step in enhancing service accessibility by providing a biometric verification handheld device to the Omuntele constituency office in the Oshikoto Region. This initiative aims to facilitate the verification process for beneficiaries, particularly elderly individuals in remote areas who previously faced challenges in accessing these services.

According to Namibia Press Agency, GIPF marketing manager Amos Kambonde highlighted during the handover that the fund introduced its biometric enrolment and verification system in 2022. This system is essential for verifying the over 55,000 beneficiaries of the fund, which includes pensioners, spouses, and children receiving benefits.

The deployment of this technology at the Omuntele constituency office marks the second rollout, following its initial implementation at the Omatako constituency office in the Otjozondjupa Region in October 2024. GIPF has plans to further extend this service to other areas, including the Omuthiya and Tsumeb constituency offices in the Oshikoto Region, as well as the Okongo constituency office in the Ohangwena Region and additional remote constituencies.

The initiative also includes training officers on the operation of these devices. Kambonde emphasized that the device will be available exclusively to constituency offices in remote areas, and beneficiaries near main offices are to continue visiting these offices for verification.

Lasarus Neshuku, the Control Administrative officer for the Omuntele constituency, expressed appreciation for GIPF's efforts in bringing services closer to the community. This development addresses previous concerns from pensioners who had to travel to Ondangwa in the Oshana Region to access these necessary services.