Migori County Commissioner David Gitonga has assured Migori residents of their safety, following concerns over the M-Gas distributing company saying there was no refilling of gas at the premises.

Gitonga together with the county security team while addressing concerns at the M-Gas facility located on the outskirts of Migori town, noted that the M-gas company is operating under a valid holding and distribution license provided by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).

The Administrator together with the county multi-agency team paid an impromptu visit to the premises and confirmed that there was no gas refilling process in the compound, except for the m-gas storage depot.

Gitonga urged the residents to dispel the rumours about the facility’s risks concerns and assured them the plant is operating legally as stipulated by all relevant regulatory bodies.

The M-Gas is a Safaricom product that was recently introduced in the Kenyan market; a
smart technology service where an individual is issued with a gas cylinder, cooker, smart meter, and key card paid with M-PESA.

Source: Kenya News Agency

OSHAKATI: Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises, Iipumbu Shiimi, has announced an increased in old age and disability grants social grants from N.dollars 1 400 to N.dollars 1 600 per month, effective 01 April 2024.

Shiimi was speaking during the tabling of the 2024/25 National Budget in Parliament on Wednesday.

According to Shiimi, government fully recognises the dream of their departed President Hage Geingob for a significant increase in the old age pension grant, however, they cannot afford to deliver on his dream in a single financial year.

‘Nonetheless, we will continue to work towards it with gradual increases over time, as resources permit,’ he said.

Moreover, Shiimi indicated that the budget for the Ministry of Gender, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare has increased by 23.2 per cent to N.dollars 8 billion during the current financial year.

He added that the budget includes N.dollars 824.7 million to maintain the real value of the social safety nets in the face of high inflation and given
the high dependency ratio.

Additionally, Shiimi said that government has made provision to increase the frequency of food distribution to marginalised communities at a cost of N.dollars 170 million, and N.dollars 284.5 million to ensure full coverage of the Orphan and Vulnerable Children Grant.

He noted that the vote will absorb N.dollars 24.5 billion.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency