BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – The Deputy Prime Minister’s Office (DPMO) has so far paid an amount of E85 799 953 to over 83 000 elderly people.
This amount of money has been paid in three months, from April to June 2024. This is according to the 2024/25 first quarter performance report of the DPMO. Other people from vulnerable groups were also paid and those included people with disabilities, ex-servicemen, and widows.
One ex-servicemen was paid E1 200 from April to June 2024, while 156 widows of ex-servicemen were paid an amount of E93 000. The 15 030 people with disabilities were paid E12 252 822. The DPMO received an annual recurrent budget allocation of E903 123 499 for the financial year 2024/2025 of which 25 percent (E228 204 522.00) was released during this reporting period.
The actual expenditure incurred amounted to E172 413 179, resulting in a 26.6 percent (E55 791 343) variance. The variation is the result of funds committed to pay for ordered goods and services upon delivery, and a portion of it will be used to ensure the availability of tender awards that are currently being processed.
The Office ensured that monthly grants were successfully paid to 83 927 elderly persons, one Ex-serviceman and 156 widows, and 15 030 Persons with Disabilities. The Office reached key milestones under the disability program by launching of National Disability Plan of Action 2024-2027 and implementing of disability grant increment from E280 to E400, effected April 2024.
Under the OVC Education Grant, which aims to provide financial support to Orphaned and Vulnerable Children, the Office enrolled 16 155 new children into the programme resulting to an estimated total enrolment of 65 800 beneficiaries of OVC grant. The Office welcomed all out-of-school children to register at any DSW office nationwide in response to the large number of out-of-school children in the nation, where 6 113 children were supported with school fees deposit payments.
The Office also implemented a Community Outreach Programme (Nkwe initiative), designed to strengthen economic resilience and empower vulnerable populations and communities. Under this programme, children without birth certificates were identified and assisted to obtain birth certificates that will enable them to attend school.
In addition, out of school children who are not registered under the OVC education grant programme were enrolled. The Office remains committed to providing efficient and effective service delivery to all vulnerable populations in the country through construction of decent housing for the most vulnerable elderly persons. The demand for decent housing for amongst vulnerable groups is high yet resources are limited.
