Housing Authority investigates fraud allegations against Regional officer

The Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) is investigating one of its Officers who allegedly collected $50,000 and unlawfully issued a forged receipt for a house lot.

According to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the CH&PA, Leon Saul, the report was received last week and the Region two Officer, Omesh Sasenarine was sent on administrative leave.

He said the investigation is ongoing to establish whether this is an isolated incident or a pattern of corrupt practice, pointing out that except at the agency’s main office at Brickdam and the Regional Housing Office at Linden, all payments must be made at the RDC Offices at Regions 2, 3, 5, 6 and 9.

Given this incident, the CH&PA will begin monthly visits to its Regional offices. Currently, those offices are only required to submit a weekly report. The CEO is urging any persons who may have been aggrieved by any employee of CH&PA to make a report to a manager of the agency.

“I advise citizens not to enable corruption by offering inducement to employees of the CH&PA. Moreover, you’re welcome to report cases when employees demand payment or favour. CH&PA is a public service agency and the hallmark of public service is integrity. Our employees are paid by the state and you do not need to pay them,” he emphasized at a press  onference hosted at his Brickdam office this morning.

The CEO committed to having all cases of corruption thoroughly investigated and have the defaulters taken out of the system.

In relation to compensation for anyone who has been defrauded in the past, the CEO declared that he is not favourable to such an arrangement. (Bibi Khatoon)