Don’t abuse Help for Homes Initiative - PM

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has called on people not to abuse the Help for Homes initiative after he received information that some people are trying to get the housing assistance for houses that did not exist during Cyclone Winston.

Bainimarama says he has received reports from the ground that some people are claiming their houses were damaged during Cyclone Winston but these houses were not in their village for the last 30 years.

Reports are also coming in that some people are querying why their names are not on the list after their houses were damaged after Cyclone Winston.

Bainimarama says he wants to ensure that all these issues are checked.

The False Information Act states that a person must not knowingly make a false representation to any officer, agent or representative of the government or an entity.

Any person who contravenes this section is liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or upto 5 years imprisonment or to both.

Any person that uses the benefit for the purpose other than what it was intended for is liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding $20,000 or upto 10 years imprisonment or to both.

Ten hardware companies have been selected to provide building materials under the government's “Help for Homes” initiative.

Minister for Poverty Alleviation, Rosy Akbar says all selected retailers have signed agreements where they have agreed to the prices to be provided and the terms and conditions of this initiative.

She says should these companies fail to adhere to the terms and contracts of the agreement, their contracts will be terminated.

Akbar says they expect all the cards to be redeemed by June 30th.

She adds all recipients will be able to use their cards from next Monday from the 10 hardware outlets.

More than 30,000 families across the affected areas will be reached.

Homes with partial roofing damage will receive $1,500, homes with complete roofing damage will receive $3,000 and homes that have been destroyed will receive $7,000.

Informal Settlements will also be assisted with $1,500 for partial or complete damage.

This initiative is for those whose household annual income falls below $50,000.

Government has allocated $70 million for this initiative.