NPPA to appoint committee to investigate FARG scam

In further developments to the ongoing, Fund for Assistance of Genocide Survivors (FARG) saga, the National Public Prosecutions Authority (NPPA) is set to appoint a five-person committee to probe the embezzlement of the funds meant to assist survivors of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsis. This was announced yesterday by NPPA Spokesperson Augustin Nkusi, during a news conference at the national prosecution offices. The misappropriated funds had previously been channeled to FARG by government. The fund which was established in 1998 has been faced with inconsistencies that have included misappropriation of monies at the expense of the survivors most of whom lack basic necessities such as shelter. According to Nkusi, all preparations for investigations into the embezzled funds are being followed-up closely. “The committee will be formed very soon and it is going to investigate and no one who had any role in this will be able to escape the arm of the law,” said Nkusi while briefing the press. Reports have in the past implicated local officials and officials in the Fund’s secretariat in the misappropriating of the funds which are meant for the needy survivors. Mismanagement of FARG funds includes building substandard houses for the survivors and diversion of funds meant for survivors by officials. Recently, the office of the Prime Minister suspended Fund officials including all members of its Board of Administration and four top managers. Among the officials who were suspended is the Executive Secretary, Jean Marie Vianney Karekezi, the Director of Administration and Finance (DAF), Sylvain Nsabimana, the Programmes Officer, Jean Marie Rwagatare, and the Director of ICT, Janvier Ngabo. Asked whether the suspended officials were among the people who have been misappropriating the funds, Nkusi said that investigations were still on to reveal the truth but gave assurances that NPPA would do its best to bring to justice all those who were involved. Ends