Commissioner Western Manasa Tagicakibau says his office was on standby to assist in arresting those who were abusing Tropical Cyclone Winston relief items.

He said this as reports of abuse of materials especially tarpaulins and tents continued to surface in the Western division.

Mr Tagicakibau said all these reports had been forwarded to the Ministry of Social Welfare.

“When we drive to Rakiraki, we still see some houses where tarpaulins and tents were given out not utilising it,” Mr Tagicakibau said.

“When we go past after three or four days, we still see nothing put up.”

Mr Tagicakibau said in some cases, when he entered the homes, he saw tarpaulins and tents still being kept in one corner of the house.

He said when people drive past these homes, they see no make-shift shelters and donate another tarpaulin or tent and this was being piled up inside the homes.

“These are things we face,” he said.

“We need to draw a line somewhere where we talk about being resilient rather than being reliant.

“We want people to become resilient where Government is providing the boost by way of providing seedlings and things that will give them something to work on.”

Meanwhile, Mr Tagicakibau said the next batch of roofing irons were expected in the country next week.

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

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