The alleged housing fraud in Essequibo, which led to the detention and subsequent dismissal of two senior housing officers is still being investigated, CH&PA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Lelon Saul said recently.
During an interview with Stabroek News, he said that based on what has occurred it is obvious that the Authority needed to conduct a detailed audit of the operations at its Region Two office. That audit is being conducted presently.
Omesh Sasenarayan, Regional Housing Officer for Region Two and his deputy Safeia Razak were arrested separately after they were accused of unlawfully collecting money from persons in exchange for house lots.
Sasenarayan who was the first to be arrested by the police is alleged to have unlawfully collected $50,000 for a house lot and then issuing a forged receipt. He was released after posting bail.
Razak was arrested at her home at Anna Regina days after returning to work from vacation leave. It is alleged that she unlawfully collected money from persons for house lots. She too was released after posting bail.
Stabroek News was informed that both of them were dismissed and attempts are being made to find replacements. In the meantime CH&PA has put a temporary system in place which sees its officers travelling from the Brickdam Head Office every week to address housing matters.