Around 40 cases of fraud under the Homes CARE program are under investigation by the Ministry of Economy.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation – Dr. Josaia Koroivueta says while the program has wrapped up, the necessary checks are being made to ensure the recipients were eligible for the assistance.
“76,000 households and if you multiply that by four, that is close to 300 thousand beneficiaries as far as the program. The Government has spent a little over $87 million for this program since it started in April this year.”
Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Economy – Makereta Konrote says around three teams will be deployed this week to investigate the 40 questionable cases they initially came across.
She adds audit teams were in the Western Division investigating incidents of ineligible recipients, however, had to be called back in with the Budget taking priority.
She says more time will be needed for the Ministry’s teams to finalise the Homes CARE program with the financial year to end this month.
