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$14.4-m in Hurricane Dean relief cheques recalled
Alicia Dunkley
Thursday, December 20, 2007
THE Labour and Social Security Ministry has recalled some $14.4-million worth of cheques distributed under the Hurricane Dean Relief Programme from persons who had falsely claimed that their dwellings had been totally destroyed.
Labour and social security minister, Pearnel Charles, in making the disclosure in Parliament on Tuesday complained that "the question of giving benefits to persons who have suffered damage in Hurricane Dean is becoming more and more difficult everyday".
The minister said the payments to persons who had claimed for losses in the "totally destroyed category" began on November 21 with 3,777 households receiving payments of $20,000 in cash and $40,000 vouchers for material. He said over $226 million had been distributed to this category.
But according to Charles, in the process of distributing it was recognised that 37 houses were duplicated, 11 persons had claimed for rented premises while 256 houses assessed as "totally destroyed" were still standing and just "slightly damaged".
"The appropriate steps were taken to retrieve the cheques and we have retrieved $14.4-million worth of cheques. Teck dem back from man who get it who shouldn't get it," Charles said.
He was, however, cautioned by Leader of Opposition Business, Dr Peter Phillips, as to the route taken to retrieve the cheques.
"I would really urge you to rethink the approach... I think you are going down the wrong track, a very dangerous path," Phillips said.
Instead, he suggested that the distribution be done by the many agencies of the ministry with assistance from the army or reserves instead of using members of parliament.
Charles, in responding, said he would consider the suggestion.
Alicia Dunkley
Thursday, December 20, 2007
THE Labour and Social Security Ministry has recalled some $14.4-million worth of cheques distributed under the Hurricane Dean Relief Programme from persons who had falsely claimed that their dwellings had been totally destroyed.
Labour and social security minister, Pearnel Charles, in making the disclosure in Parliament on Tuesday complained that "the question of giving benefits to persons who have suffered damage in Hurricane Dean is becoming more and more difficult everyday".
The minister said the payments to persons who had claimed for losses in the "totally destroyed category" began on November 21 with 3,777 households receiving payments of $20,000 in cash and $40,000 vouchers for material. He said over $226 million had been distributed to this category.
But according to Charles, in the process of distributing it was recognised that 37 houses were duplicated, 11 persons had claimed for rented premises while 256 houses assessed as "totally destroyed" were still standing and just "slightly damaged".
"The appropriate steps were taken to retrieve the cheques and we have retrieved $14.4-million worth of cheques. Teck dem back from man who get it who shouldn't get it," Charles said.
He was, however, cautioned by Leader of Opposition Business, Dr Peter Phillips, as to the route taken to retrieve the cheques.
"I would really urge you to rethink the approach... I think you are going down the wrong track, a very dangerous path," Phillips said.
Instead, he suggested that the distribution be done by the many agencies of the ministry with assistance from the army or reserves instead of using members of parliament.
Charles, in responding, said he would consider the suggestion.