Giveaway homes for poor free of corruption, says PM
Published:Wednesday | August 24, 2022 | 12:07 AM
Prime Minister Andrew Holness on Tuesday moved to defend the integrity of the New Social Housing Programme, declaring that the selection process is void of nepotism and corruption.
Some 89 units, inclusive of just over 200 rooms, have so far been constructed, benefiting 389 people across 37 constituencies in 12 parishes.
One hundred and sixty-one units remain under construction.
Holness, who was speaking on Tuesday at the signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation and Arc Properties Limited, at Jamaica House in St Andrew, said that the beneficiaries have been living in substandard conditions.
“There is obviously the residual mistrust of government programmes, the suspicion that there is nepotism and favouritism involved in a social programme,” said Holness.
“We know that that is how Jamaicans think and, therefore, we went through great lengths to ensure that the people who are benefiting are genuinely in need. That nobody is saying that the beneficiaries only got it because of who they know,” he added.
The prime minister said that an oversight committee has been put in place, led by the principal financial officer, to ensure that the project meets the requirements of the Financial Administration and Audit Act, the Housing Act, procurement guidelines, and rules.
“There is no misstep with this one. You will never hear any complaints about improper procurement, any form of corruption, any misdirection of resources or favouritism. We have built in every protection to make sure that the programme is integrous and you can have faith in the programme,” Holness said.
He said that the programme targets beneficiaries who earn the minimum wage or less, as well as those who are without income.
Holness described it as an income-contingent subsidy, noting that the people who earn less should benefit more from government subsidies.
“We’re making sure that people who have more income don’t get more subsidies because that is unfair. Unfortunately, many subsidies that Government gives are hidden. Because people who are already earning get subsidies, you exacerbate inequality in the society,” the prime minister said.
Holness said the countrywide census scheduled for September will assist the Government in identifying Jamaicans living in substandard conditions, but noted that the volume of requests to members of parliament and the housing ministry suggests that there are approximately 6,000.
He said the aim is to build 10,000 houses under the programme as part of the broader commitment by his administration to deliver 70,000 housing solutions over four years.