PRESS RELEASE
01st October 2022
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Misleading Post on FLP’S Social Media Regarding LagiLagi Housing
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The Ministry of Housing and Community Development expresses disappointment on the recent, misleading social media post by Fiji Labour Party claiming delays in refunding LagiLagi Housing applicants.
The Permanent Secretary for the Ministry, Sanjeeva Perera has refuted such claims by the party.
“It is extremely disappointing to see that FLP has failed to understand the refund scheme in its entirety and merely trying to mislead public.”
The PS further commented that the Programme was initiated by the Fijian Government to bring justice to those who lost their hard earned savings paid to PCN for units at LagiLagi Housing Project.
The Government took over the affairs of the Project and allocated $2.27 million in the 2021/2022 revised budget for the refund scheme. Applications were called in April and May this year and the Ministry received a total of 643 applications. In the last two months of last financial year alone, the Ministry managed to refund more than $2million to 278 applicants.
Considering the high number of applications received, The Fijian Government allocated further $1.9 million in the 2022/2023 National Budget to refund the remaining applicants.
After careful assessment in the last two months, a further 130 applications have been approved for refund, 90 of these already paid out and the final 40 to be paid in the coming week. The total payments to these 130 applicants adds to over 1 million dollars.
In entirety, a total of 408 out of the 643 applicants have met the criteria and have been refunded more than $3 million dollars and the remaining 235 applicants unfortunately did not meet the requirements.
“PCN also ran their own savings scheme with their members that had nothing to do with the LagiLagi Housing Project. Our refund scheme does not cover these applicants and it is very clearly stated in the legislation. We have been explaining this to all applicants who did not qualify for refunds and they have been very understanding and appreciative. We have been very transparent on this in our previous press statements. On the other hand, those who have received refunds are overwhelmed with the Fijian Government’s decision to support them. So, statements made on the FLP Facebook page on this matter looks totally out of context to us” said the Permanent Secretary.
“We have now approved payment of refunds to all eligible applicants and the remaining 235 unfortunately do not meet the criteria set for the Programme. Our team has been in constant touch with these applicants to see if they have any documentary evidence to support their claim under the LagiLagi Refund Programme. Unfortunately, most of them are PCN members who contributed to their savings scheme. So they do not meet the criteria” he added.
The Ministry promised that all eligible applicants will receive their payments by 30th September as stipulated in its August press release and has abided by its commitment. The claims made on the FLP social media is completely baseless and an act of misinforming Fijians. The Ministry urges any applicant who needs further clarification on his or her application to contact the Ministry directly rather than being misled by any third party.
The Ministry also warns Fijians to exercise caution while making any further contribution to PCN using their hard earned savings as PCN is a deregistered trust.
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-ENDS-
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For further information please contact:
Mr. Sanjeeva Perera
Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Housing and Community Development
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Email: sanjeeva.perera@govnet.gov.fj
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