It has been a three-year-long drought, but last week, pensioners in the Namatanai District of New Ireland province received their Old Age and Disabled Pension Payments.
A total of 680 pensioners in the Matalai LLG and 931 pensioners in the Tanir LLG received their K500 payments making them the first two LLGs in Namatanai.
New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan, was also one of the first to receive his pension.
He gracefully donated it to a grieving family.
The New Ireland Government’s Subsidy division has been spearheading several groundbreaking Government policy objectives which are being implemented throughout New Ireland and are proving to be of great benefit to the rural populace.
The Subsidy program includes Free and subsidized Education Policy, Old Aged and Disabled Pension Policy, Roof Over Head Policy, Lighting New Ireland Policy, Bicycle Subsidy, Wheel Barrow Subsidy, Ward Level Grants and the Beautification Awards.
The pension scheme has an age requirement of 65 years and above. And elders must have lived in New Ireland for over 10 years.
For the disabled portion, individuals must have a genuine disability as well lived in Nip for over 10 years. However, they can be younger.
