Gov't says progress being made verifying ROOFS applications

 

 

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security says it has been making progress in verifying the list of applications under the Restoration of Owner or Occupant Family Shelters (ROOFS) programme, despite continued attempts by individuals at manipulating the process.

 

State Minister in the Ministry, Donovan Williams, says several challenges have led to delays in approved persons receiving their benefits, including, submission of incorrect Tax Registration Numbers and duplication.

 

Mr. Williams says the ministry has been working to identify dishonest persons whose homes were not damaged. 

 

"Then we have persons who use other people telephone to apply for the grant and when the message is sent seh come and pick up your thing, the person nuh tell them, and some of dem press the thing - we need to digitally educate our people - some of them press the thing and delete the QR code. Can you imagine? You send the benefit, you assess them and you verify it and seh you're ready, you are authentic, we validate you, you need the help. And when we send it to you, you delete the message," he lamented.

 

"So we have some problems. We are working through those problems. We are working through them. Our parish offices have responded. We are calling people. We are contacting people. We are sending out emails. And I want you to know, as I wrap up, that, to date, we have clean up the list," said the state minister.

 

Mr. Williams, who was speaking at the Jamaica Labour Party's Area Council 1 meeting in Kingston on Thursday, said the government has had to balance the need to get help to families quickly with the responsibility to ensure public funds go to those who actually need them. 

 

"We talk about efficiency and we want speed. But the truth is, government has to balance it with accountability because we are audited, you know. We are audited real time. So you can't slip. If you slip, you [slide]. And then you same one, when it come out inna di newspaper, unuh cuss we and call we tief." 

 

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness had said the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency would be asked to provide some oversight of the ROOFS programme.

 

The Social Security Ministry said more than $10.56 billion has been spent through the ROOFS programme and close to 50,000 families assisted.