A total of 336 households that paid a sum of $2.2 million to the People’s Community Network (PCN) scam to acquire a house for themselves at Jittu Estate in Suva, were not offered any flat.
Minister for Housing and Local Government Maciu Nalumisa said this in Parliament recently, adding Government so far had managed to assist 434 applicants.
“The scheme came about in the 2021-2022 financial year,” he said.
“Just a brief background on those people that have paid housing deposits to People’s Community Network (PCN) but were not offered any flats based on whatever information that we received, it amounted to $2.2 million.
“That is close to 336 households that have made payments to PCN.
“To date, we have assisted a total of 434 applicants or families/individuals with a total amount of close to $3.4 million.
“We have seen the reduction of those who have paid and were affected that have come forward and produced their receipts, as well as a letter to confirm that they have made such payments to PCN.
“Based on the reduction in the number of families or applicants that we have received, based on the enquiries that we have received, if you put an average, for those 434 families, it is close to $7800.
“So, if you equate that $7800 based on $150,000, we expect close to 19 because the numbers have reduced.
“So, we are projecting to assist close to 18, 19, 20 or 30 people based on an average of $7800 per applicant.”
He said the ministry had processed and cleared all applications they had received so far.
“There are some that have come forward to us but the policy says if you pay, you must make sure that whatever narration in the receipt must say deposit housing.
“So, these are some of the things that we have clarified with all those that have come forward and lodged their applications with the ministry.”
