Credit cards for rebuilding will surely hit a snag

The promise of credit cards to those whose houses were damaged - perhaps 30,000 of them - to buy tin etc at designated shops is a lure that surely will hit a snag.  Too tempting. One man has already decided to give back the roofing iron, put up plastic, and then ask for a credit card.  Story from Fiji Village. And other  stories below.

Don’t abuse Help for Homes Initiative - PM

By Vijay Narayan

Friday 06/05/2016

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama

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.

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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.

ROOF REPLACEMENT

Dan Urai,Lautoka | Sunday, May 1, 2016

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A friend's neighbour had six pieces of corrugated roofing iron blown away by Severe Tropical Cycone Winston. He borrowed from the neighbour and fixed his roof two days later.

The inspection team told him he couldn't get assistance because he had replaced the roof.

He returned the six pieces of corrugated iron and covered his roof with tarpaulin. The tarpaulin remains to date.
Ten hardware companies to provide building materials for "Help for Homes" initiative

By Dhanjay Deo

Friday 06/05/2016

Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Rosy Akbar.

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

Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Rosy Akbar says these companies are Dayals Sawmillers Limited, Carpenters Hardware, CBS Power Solutions Fiji Limited, Vinod Patel and Company Limited, R.C Manubhai and Company Limited, Rakiraki Hardware, Local Woods and Hardware Limited, Kasabias Limited, Refrigeration Electrical Services Limited and Haroons Hardware.

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 and discontinued as the supplier or retailer for the "Help for Home" initiative.

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Akbar has also announced that the first e‑card for the "Help for Homes" initiative will be launched at Balata High School in Tavua by Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama today.

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.

Meanwhile, 12 priority areas that were most affected by the cyclone have been identified for the initiative which include Tailevu, Rakiraki, Tavua, Ba, Lautoka, Nadi, Yasawa, Vanuabalavu, Taveuni, Qamea, Yacata, Cakaudrove, Bua, Naitasiri and the Lomaiviti Group.

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.