BY MFANUFIKILE KHATHWANE
LOBAMBA – The Deputy Prime Minister’s Office will submit a request to the Ministry of Finance for an increase in grants for older persons and people with disabilities in a move aimed at cushioning beneficiaries from economic pressures.
This was revealed in the Office’s responses to interventions made by Members of Parliament following the presentation of its Annual Performance Report, where MPs raised concerns about strengthening support for vulnerable groups.
Responding to concerns raised by Honourable Wilton Nkambule, the Office acknowledged the need to improve support for people living with disabilities and said it would submit a request to the Ministry of Finance for an increase in both the Disability Grant and the Older Persons Grant.
Nkambule had asked whether the Disability Grant could be increased to cover basic needs and be aligned with the Older Persons Grant.
The Office said the issue of disability support would also be addressed through the upcoming Disability Fund Regulations, which will consider the different levels of disability.
It further clarified concerns over why some beneficiaries stop receiving the Disability Grant when they reach 60 years, explaining that under the current framework, recipients become eligible for the Older Persons Grant at that age. However, the matter will be reviewed through the new regulations.
Meanwhile, Honourable Madala Mhlanga called for stronger legal frameworks to protect social protection programmes and ensure they continue beyond the tenure of the current leadership.
In response, the Office said it has started developing the National Social Assistance Policy and the Older Persons Bill to give social assistance programmes legal standing and ensure they receive support through the national budget.
Mhlanga also emphasised the importance of proper targeting of beneficiaries to ensure that assistance reaches the most vulnerable members of society.
The Office further highlighted that social protection goes beyond providing immediate relief, explaining that beneficiaries of the Decent Shelter Programme are also being supported with livelihood initiatives to help them become self-reliant.
It said child-headed households that receive houses are assisted with additional support, including fencing, backyard gardens, gardening tools and small livestock such as chickens and goats.
The MP also raised concerns over poor-quality building materials that leave structures vulnerable to disasters such as storms and strong winds.
Responding, the Office said the National Disaster Risk Management Agency (NDRMA) is engaging the Eswatini Standards Authority, the Construction Industry Council and other stakeholders to strengthen quality assurance for materials used in humanitarian and disaster response programmes.
The Office revealed that discussions had already started regarding the use of roofing sheets below 0.5mm strength to ensure beneficiaries receive safe and durable shelter.
Meanwhile, Honourable Nomkhosi Masuku appreciated the role played by NDRMA in supporting the country’s Foot and Mouth Disease response but questioned the agency’s involvement since agriculture falls under the Ministry of Agriculture.
The Office explained that NDRMA’s role is to coordinate emergency preparedness and response activities, including logistics, resource mobilisation and multi-sectorial planning, while the Ministry of Agriculture remains responsible for technical leadership.
The Office also assured Parliament that donor-funded programmes would be sustained through government funding where such programmes are supported by legislation and provided for in the national budget.
MPs further commended the Office for developing the Social Registry, which uses scientific targeting to identify vulnerable households, as well as its rehabilitation work at St Joseph’s High School (Mzimpofu).
#DPMOffice #SocialProtection #DisabilityGrant #OlderPersonsGrant #VulnerableEmaSwati #NationalSocialAssistancePolicy #NDRMA #EswatiniDevelopment
(Courtesy Pic)
