Govt to give money to families affected by termites

Families affected by termite infestation and earning less than $30,000 annually will be assisted with $5,000 for timber materials to repair their houses while the government will carry out a baiting process at every termite-affected homes in Nadi, Lautoka and Ba to destroy the termite population.

This has been confirmed by the Assistant Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, Sashi Kiran while touring the Western Division with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad, and the Assistant Minister in the Prime Minster's Office Sakiusa Tubuna.

While speaking to the residents in Lautoka, Kiran says those living below the poverty line would be the first ones to be assisted.

Kiran says every affected house will go through the bating programme and there will also be subsidised rates of bait for business houses to control the termite population.

She says people from Labasa will also be supported.

Assistant Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Sakiusa Tubuna highlighted that there is an allocation and provision of $3 million by the government.

He says the first part of the aid includes subsidised bait provision for those who register with the Lautoka City Council and the Ministry of Regional Development while the second part involves targeted relief, providing $5,000 for individuals with an income below $30,000 and $2,000 for those with an income above $30,000 to $50,000.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad says as a government, they recognise the serious problem of termites that is causing distress and panic to many families that suffer as a result of the destruction of their houses.

The coalition government urges all affected individuals to register promptly to avail themselves of the support and assistance programs in place.