Martin Endjala
The Lüderitz Town Council has approved the cancellation of pensioners’ debts, which are estimated to be several thousands of dollars.
The chairperson of the management committee, Annemarie Hartzenberg, presented a motion last month to write off pensioners’ debts.
The council made this decision last week during the ordinary council meeting.
“It is necessary for such a motion to be implemented and executed. We have observed that unemployment and poverty levels in Lüderitz are increasing, and there is also a growing concern with regard to household but income remains stagnant due to economic decline,” she said.
Hartzenberg, the committee chairperson, stated that the motion needs to be implemented for the sake of the elderly, who are now responsible for taking care of the unemployed youth while also being expected to pay off their debts.
She pointed out that the estimated value of some pensioners’ accounts is around N$100 000, and she contended that a pensioner would struggle to repay such substantial debts.
“If the old person happens to pass on, the family that is left behind is left to inherit the debt, which again repeats the same circle all over because, remember, these are the very same unemployed people who were under the care of the old person,” argued Hartzenberg.
Hartzenberg believes that cancelling the debts will assist many financially struggling households.
Despite the council’s approval of the motion, she stated that the council agreed to implement a policy guide for cancelling debts to help the council navigate the process.
“Remember that this is an irrecoverable debt, so we need to ensure that a policy is set up to sort of guide the process. This weekend, we will also engage the community on the subject matter and others. But the community must understand that this is a process, and it will take time before it comes to fruition,” she said.
She is, however, also concerned about the delayed approval of resolutions passed by the council, which are sent to the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development, including the policy guide for cancelling debts.
“With all due respect to the ministry and the minister, decisions taken by the council and sent to the ministry for approval often take too long, and this is why some of the issues are never solved on time, so it’s a process, and people need to be patient,” she said.
The council is scheduled to have a community meeting this coming Sunday.
The agenda includes the operational capital budget and the N$91 million grant received from the government development fund, as well as updates on council projects.
