The Ministry of Housing has launched a probe into allegations that a number of its staff members have been involved in a “bribe for house lot” scam.
Over the past number of days, several allegations have been leveled by persons on social media against Ministry of Housing staffers.
In some of the claims, persons alleged that they were forced to pay bribes to be allocated house lots from the Ministry.
Some persons provided details, text messages and even photographs of the staffers at the Ministry who they claim facilitated the allocation of house lots for bribery payments.
In a statement today, the Permanent Secretary of the Housing Ministry, Bishram Kuppen, said he has taken note of allegations of corruption leveled against the Housing Ministry’s staffers, adding that the Ministry is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and service and will treat the allegations with utmost seriousness.
The Permanent Secretary also issued a call for anyone with solid evidence to provide that information to the Police or the Ministers of Housing or Permanent Secretary.
He promised that all information would be treated with strict confidentiality.
“We would like to reassure the public and firmly state that the Ministry of Housing and Water will not condone any form of unethical behavior or corruption. Any employee who is found to be engaged in corrupt transactions will face serious disciplinary action and also the full force of the law where appropriate,” the Housing Ministry PS said today.
The Housing Ministry said it has now intensified monitoring of the activities in the areas identified to ensure that all procedures are strictly followed.
The Ministry of Housing also reminded members of the public that applications for house lots are processed directly at the Ministry of Housing and its Regional offices by authorized employees.
The Permanent Secretary made it clear that no “middleman” or external agent works on behalf of the Ministry.
This is not the first-time that corruption allegations have being leveled against staffers of the Housing Ministry.
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