The Ministry of Housing and Community Development has so far reimbursed 79 eligible Fijians who applied for refund of deposits which they paid to the People’s Community Network (PCN) for LagiLagi Housing Units in Jittu Estate, Suva. To date payments in excess of six hundred thousand dollars have been made under this scheme.
These refunds are paid through the Fijian Government initiative announced in the 2021/2022 revised National Budget, where the government committed to designate $2.27 million for the refund scheme.
The Ministry is administering the scheme and have received a total of 631 applications. Out of these, a total of 340 applicants who had submitted all documentation including their signed housing agreements with PCN are being prioritised for payment by 30 June 2022.
Explaining the approval process and the challenges faced in vetting applications, the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry, Mr Sanjeeva Perera said that the Ministry is currently prioritising those applicants who have submitted signed housing agreements with PCN, together with all other requirements. He also explained that those applicants who have submitted legitimate receipt copies but do not have housing agreements will be considered in the next round.
The Fijian government granted PCN over $12 million with a land lease of 99 years to build 153 homes together with a community hall and a kindergarten. It was extremely disturbing to note that PCN had made false promises to Fijians in enticing them to make deposits, stating that 10,000 housing units would eventually be constructed under the program.
The Ministry is simultaneously working closely with Director of Lands in claiming back the lease issued to PCN for the LagiLagi Housing Project so that the project can be completed to its intended expectations and strata titles can be issued to legitimate households.