Bishop Zephania Kameeta, along with other priests had an audience at State House on Thursday to intensify his drive to have all Namibian citizens receive a basic income grant (BIG) to eradicate poverty.

In the document handed over to president Pohamba, the BIG principle intends to have a government grant paid to each citizen, rich or poor of N$100 per month from birth until the age of 59. From the age of 60, each citizen is already entitled to a monthly pension of N$300 per month. Kameeta stressed that a household of 6 to 8 people would thus receive an income of N$600 to N$800 respectively to buy food and for basic services. This would break the chains of poverty, Kameeta urged. To finance the BIG, the valua added tax (VAT) might be increased and other indirect taxes levied. Originally, the Namibian government had the idea if a BIG and had a tax consortium do a feasibility study, but it was left at that. The churches have since 2004 held consultations in a move to intensify the implementation of a Basis Income Grant.