Mobile Service-Namibia - The Social Security Commission (SSC) last Saturday launched its first mobile bus called "SSC on Wheels" at an event witnessed by hundreds of people in Katutura. The bus is fitted with computers installed with the latest technology aimed at bringing SSC services closer to the people. The services include registering employers and employees, accepting contributions, issuing of social cards and employer certificates of registration, general customer service and public education. The mobile unit is equipped with the necessary facilities to render a "one-stop" service. It has a small office, cooler bag, safe, computers, fully loaded public address system and a liquid crystal display flat screen television.

Officially launching the mobile van, the Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, Alpheus Muheua, said the SSC has become a lifeline for the lower income groups in the Namibian society.

He said many of them would not be able to make ends meet without the vital financial assistance from the institution.

Muheua said the SSC has tremendous potential to serve the public and more so the vulnerable groups of the society.

"The SSC has the responsibility to develop into a service excellence, efficiency and competence for the benefit of its members and the nation at large."

He noted Namibia has a sizeable informal sector that grows at a fast rate and is not always keen on being formalised and regulated.

"However, registration with the SSC is in the best interest of both the employers and employees," he said, adding that it provides protection against unforeseen contingencies such as injury on duty as well as defined conditions such as maternity leave.

Other services offered by the SSC include, leave, sick, death, disability and retirement benefits.

The Chief Executive Officer of the SSC, Kenandei Tjivikua, explained that "SSC on Wheels" would primarily be used to provide services to SSC clients in places where the commission does not have offices.

"The mobile unit forms part of deliberate efforts by the SSC to extend coverage to the informal sector. It will be a tool that will be used to ensure that the commission increase registration numbers of operators in the informal sectors and improve on its collection of contributions," he said.

Tjivikua said the purpose of any social security system in the world is among others things to provide social safety nets and social protection to its members or beneficiaries.

"It is expected that the services offered by the institution charged with the responsibility of administering a safety net programme are accessible to a wide majority of citizens in the most cost-efficient manner.

"This includes the roll out of these safety net programmes to the most remote areas where the beneficiaries live," he said.

With the newly launched bus, the Social Security Commission intends to target industrial parks and open markets in various towns throughout Namibia, and also to render services at most trade fairs and industrial shows throughout the country.

Fifi Rhodes

New Era/08/08/2011