Govt Will Repay $2.2m to Those Swindled by People Community Network

Manasa Rarogovakatini says his prayers have been answered after Government assured victims of the People Community Network (PCN) scam that they will be reimbursed.

Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum announced the reimbursement of $2.2 million through the revised budget.

The father of eight children is one of the 3367 Fijians identified by Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) that were promised housing units at Lagilagi Housing project.

Unfortunately that promise was never fulfilled.

Mr Rarogovakatini said once he gets the reimbursed money, he would buy a few things needed at his farm and canteen business.

“I was told that PCN was giving out applications to those who wanted to own a unit at Lagilagi housing, and we could start paying.

I made two payments: First in 2017 where I paid $5000 and in 2018, I paid $4,500,” Mr Rarogovakatini said.

He said the person he made the two payments to have said that his house was ready, and he could move in.

“But when I tried to contact him, I couldn’t get hold of him.

“I was one of those conned. I went to PCN and was told the person I paid the money to was not supposed to be collecting the money. He gave me receipts with the PCN logo on it.”

The 42-year-old of Nasinu said he never thought that he would be getting back the money he paid to PCN.

“When the COVID-19 pandemic hit Fiji in 2020, I lost faith in getting my money back.

“Therefore, I thank the Government because many years of running around has come to an end. Families struggle so that they can pay PCN to get a good house to live in.

“The Government is trying to make things right and they have answered the prayers of many people.”

Attorney-General

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said in 2009, the Ministry of Local Government, Urban Development and Housing together with PCN signed a memorandum of agreement for the Lagilagi Housing project in Jittu Estate for the construction of 153 affordable housing units.

He said in 2019 the FCCC investigated the Lagilagi Housing Project after receiving numerous complaints

“The first phase was for the construction of 33 units, completed at a value of $2.9million. To date, 117 units have been fully completed at the total cost of $15.6million,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.

“But PCN acted shamelessly in what amounted to a fleecing of people who had put their hopes into this project and handed over their hard-earned savings in deposit.

“PCN kept the deposits of eligible people and then sold units to people who were not eligible, some who were wealthy business people. Other money that was collected has simply disappeared.”

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said the Government felt they had a moral obligation to repay those Fijians who worked hard and saved for homes they were promised.

He said with the assistance of FCCC, the Ministry of Housing and Community Development identified 3367 complainants, whose deposits amount to some $2.2million.

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