A recent review of the Termite Control Assistance Programme (TCAP) has found that only 5 percent of participants used their grants to repair their homes. The remaining 95 percent have not utilized the funds for their intended purpose, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the initiative.
Sashi Kiran, the Assistant Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection, indicated that this may suggest many recipients are either waiting for baiting treatments to conclude or have no plans to use the funds as intended. She emphasized that the government will continue to monitor the situation, prioritizing financial assistance mechanisms for those in need.
Kiran noted that the government is working proactively by providing accessible products on the market, implementing nationwide baiting programs specifically for households with incomes below $30,000, and increasing awareness of termite issues. She expressed hopes that financial institutions would respond by offering products to help affected families rebuild their homes.
Further encouraging is the rise in applications for the TCAP subsidy, which has enabled the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (BAF) to uncover previously unreported cases of termite infestations among households. As support through the subsidy program has been made available, more residents are coming forward to report issues.
The subsidy structure provides $5,000 for households earning less than $30,000 and $2,000 for those with incomes between $30,000 and $50,000, aiming to alleviate the burden on families dealing with termite infestations.
This situation highlights the government’s commitment to addressing environmental issues while also encouraging community engagement and proactive reporting. With increased support and resources aimed at prevention and mitigation, there is potential for an encouraging outcome for families affected by termites in the future.
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