And the PM also announced that housing assistance would be distributed to constituents by their area rep. However, there is some concern when PUDP politicians decide who gets the money, as it opens the door for clientelism. So we asked Fonseca how the government plans to ensure the money is used properly:
Courtney Menzies:
"Now, we know, history has told us that when area reps distribute these funds to constituents-and this is a PUDP thing-it opens avenue for corruption and clientelism. Do you think that this avenue is being opened, and how does the government ensure that these area reps are using the money and not getting some type of kickback from wholesalers, for example?"
Francis Fonseca, MFAT/MOECST
"No. Absolutely not. The Ministry of Finance has put in place very clear criteria for us to access the funds. So if you're getting supplies, and it's not a lot of money, it's not a lot of money. When it's over 31 constituencies, because it will be given to both UDP representatives and PUP, so all 31. So, you know, when you divide that up among 31 people, it's not a lot of money. But there is established criteria which the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Prime Minister requires before those funds can be accessed. So there's no room, really. No room for corruption, no room for abuse. The bottom line is, if you don't provide the invoices-and they have every right, the Ministry of Finance, to cross-check those invoices and determine whether they're valid or not. And I'm sure they, they can and will do that. If you don't provide those things, then you don't get your, your subsequent allocation because it's over a five-month period. So it's not a lot of money over five months. You know, it's something like $20,000 or so over five months. So, you know, that can easily be monitored. And there's no room for abuse and corruption."
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