Government's housing assistance for Cyclone Winston cannot be used to buy alcohol or a new fridge - PM

The government's housing assistance for Cyclone Winston cannot be used to buy alcohol or a new fridge.

That's Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama's message to the people in Nasawana, Bua as he explained to them about the housing assistance that will be offered to families affected by the cyclone.

Bainimarama said applicants must meet the criteria and their application must be truthful and accurate.

He said anyone found to be cheating or abusing this system will face the full force of the law.

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

Households will receive a prepaid Vodafone electronic card with a set amount and PIN number to purchase the building materials from selected hardware outlets.

The amount on the card will depend on the amount of damage to people's homes.

Bainimarama said spot checks will be carried out by audit teams from the Ministry of Finance after the cards are distributed by the Social Welfare Ministry from the beginning of next month.

A $1,500 limit will be given for partial roofing damage, $3,000 for serious roofing damage while $7,000 will be given for almost or completely demolished homes.

Meanwhile Bainimarama also stressed to the villagers of Nasawana that parliament does not have a parliamentarian looking after the people of Bua.

He said all parliamentarians are representatives of all the people of Fiji and they should look after the interests of all the Fijians in the country.

Bainimarama made this clear after questions were raised on who is the representative for Bua in parliament.

He said parliamentarians are not in parliament to serve just one area or vanua.

Bainimarama is currently touring the cyclone affected areas in Savusavu.