MP to Gov’t: Withdraw dreaded Property Tax now!

According to Tancoo, this government has failed to implement preventative strategies to mitigate the widespread flooding across the country, resulting in millions of dollars in damage and loss to property, crops and livelihoods of thousands of citizens. Many of these very properties Minister Imbert seeks to tax, are under floodwaters.

The MP for Oropouche West, and also shadow Minister of Finance for the Opposition, Tancoo noted that government’s failed to provide the funding and equipment to clean the various watercourses, maintain the irrigation channels, and dredge the rivers in the dry season is testament to their neglect of ordinary citizens.

Today, tens of thousands of people are suffering as water levels have risen to over ten feet in some areas, making roads impassable and whole communities submerged under floodwaters. The resultant cost is in the millions of dollars as homes have been damaged, some have collapsed, while businesses have all been lost in the floods.

To implement the property tax at this stage would be an act of malice and ill-will towards the beleaguered citizens and no right- thinking government would intentionally add to their financial and other worries, Minister.

A few weeks ago MP Tancoo wrote to the Speaker of the House of Representatives seeking to have flooding debated as a Definite Matter of Urgent Public Importance. That request was refused. Tancoo said it is ironic and unfortunate that today the entire country is now witness to the government’s failure to address the causes of flooding.

Davendranath Tancoo BA, LLB, MBA, LPC.

Member of Parliament
Oropouche West
LP 217 S.S. Erin Road,
Batchyia Village,
Penal.