Better efficiency
A MEMORANDUM of understanding (MOU) was signed between the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS), Public Rental Board (PRB) and Housing Authority (HA) to encourage mutual co-operation in the area of sharing information.
The MOU was signed by FRCS chief executive officer Visvanath Das, acting general manager PRB, Pat Veu and HA board chair Nesbitt Hazelman.
“The purpose of the MOU is to set out relevant information and controls in place to ensure that any information shared is used and handled responsibly within the parameters of the legal limitations,” Mr Das said.
He said this would enable all parties to work closely as well as enhance their partnership in carrying out statutory responsibilities.
“The data shared will assist in compliance checks as compliance is paramount,” Mr Das said.
“There have been cases where recipients applying for housing lots and PRB flats are not eligible due to the income threshold, however, they try to beat the system by giving false information and the much deserving/ eligible recipients are left out,” he said.
“This MOU will now enable us to curb this issue by accessing information for verification purpose,” he added.
Mr Veu stated the signing of MOU with FRCS would enable PRB to allocate flats through expression of interests from Fijians in a civil manner to deserving recipients.
“We now work as a team to achieve the common national goal.
“This MOU will also assist us in transiting tenants to home ownership.”
Mr Hazelman expressed similar sentiments stating the MOU would ensure they identify those who deserve to be considered for allocation from the get-go from the number of applicants which HA received for any subdivision advertised.