Minister of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare Bernadette Jagger on Tuesday handed over materials and equipment to four beneficiaries of the income-generating activities (IGAs) support programme, at Opuwo in the Kunene region.
In her remarks at the event, Jagger said the materials and equipment translate to a total of eight direct beneficiaries for the 2019/20 and 2020/21 financial years.
The IGAs that benefited range from tailoring/needlework, gardening, and hair/beauty salon with all donations valued at more than N.dollars 88 000.
Jagger said the Ministry strives to contribute to the improvement of livelihoods through the IGAs Support Programme by encouraging women and men from poor communities to establish or expand their micro-enterprises, adding that it [ministry] therefore, funds viable IGAs that have the potential to flourish and create employment opportunities.
‘It is evident that through this programme, many women and men who received this support improved their earnings and created employment opportunities for others,’ she noted.
Jagger also urged the beneficiaries to optimally improve income and create employment while making sure that the materials and equipment are used for the intended purpose.
‘Bear in mind that these materials remain the properties of the Ministry and should be used for its envisioned purpose. The Ministry will not take the mismanagement of the materials and equipment lightly. Therefore, in the case of mismanagement, the Ministry has the right to repossess the materials and equipment as stipulated in the Operating Guidelines for Income Generating Activities, 2017-2022,’ charged Jagger.
She further encouraged the beneficiaries to market, register their business, and produce quality products so that they can remain in business.
On his part, Opuwo Urban constituency councillor Ueutjerevi Ngunaihe echoed Jagger’s statement, stating that most of the small businesses wither due to lack of marketing and mismanagement. Progress evaluation should therefore be conducted for assurance and accountability purposes.
He also advised the beneficiaries to register their businesses, thus qualify for tenders, especially in supplying school uniforms and catering services to schools.
Source: Namibia Press Agency
