UNC begins dialogue with citizens on Property Tax
Political Leader of the United National Congress, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, SC, MP, is deeply concerned about the government’s rush to implement the Property Tax, and the damaging impact that this tax is likely to have on citizens.
In keeping with Mrs Persad-Bissessar’s policy of “listening and then leading” the United National Congress will hold a series of meetings in the coming weeks to start the dialogue on the impact of the Property Tax and to give citizens an opportunity to voice their concerns.
The UNC Leader and Member of Parliament for Siparia will host a consultation on Wednesday 26th April, 2017 at the Constituency Office, Penal Junction, Penal from 6:00 p.m. Former Central Bank Governor Jwala Rambarran will speak at this event.
Mrs Persad-Bissessar noted that the move to effect this tax is causing great concern among citizens, who are already reeling from rising crime levels, increasing food prices, job losses and inadequate health services.
“The Rowley-led Government continues to disregard the voices of the people – many of whom are already struggling to survive – and remains adamant that the Property Tax in its current form must be applied,” she stated. “Under the government which I led, I was steadfast in my position that the People’s Partnership would not introduce a property tax, but a tax regime based on the old land and building taxes before 2010.”
She noted that the introduction of the Property Tax at this time raises several concerns, including:
- The failure of the PNM Government to complete the process of local government reform, and as a result no mechanisms are in place to ensure that property tax is spent on local projects.
- The introduction of yet another tax will cause further hardship for unemployed persons, pensioners, the poor and vulnerable in our society.
- The lack of information regarding the calculation of the Annual Rental Values (ARV) for properties.
“After just over 18 months of a PNM government, the country’s economy continues to decline, unemployment levels are rising, and the Prime Minister seems to have no clue, no vision, or strategy to fix the crisis which they have created” Mrs Persad-Bissessar said. “The Government should focus on raising revenue through economic diversification, curbing crime, reducing unemployment, and improving the health and education systems.”
The schedule of upcoming consultations is listed below, and members of the media are invited to attend and provide coverage.
CONSTITUENCY | DATE | TIME | LOCATION |
*Arima | 28/4/2017 | 6.00pm | To Be Confirmed |
Caroni Central | 25/4/2017 | 6.30pm | Constituency Office,
Lot B, Corner Nelson and Mission Road, Freeport |
Caroni East | 26/4/2017 | 6.00pm | Constituency Office
Lot 54 Dyette Estate, Southern Main Road, Cunupia |
Chaguanas East | 27/4/2017 | 6.30pm | Chaguanas South Secondary School
Helen Street, Lange Park, Chaguanas |
Chaguanas West | 03/5/2017 | 7:00pm | Constituency Sub-Office
LP#111, Munroe Road, Cunupia, Chaguanas |
04/5/2017 | 7:00pm | Felicity Hindu School,
139c, Cacandee Road, Felicity, Chaguanas |
|
Couva North | 27/4/2017 | 6.00pm | Waterloo Community Centre
Waterloo Road, Carapichaima |
Couva South | 27/4/2017 | 6.30.pm | Couva South Multipurpose Hall |
Cumuto/Manzanilla | 27/4/2017 | 6.00pm | Grosvenor Presbyterian Primary School
Cunapo S.M.R., Coalmine, Sangre Grande |
Fyzabad | 27/4/2017 | 6.30pm | Fyzabad Community Centre
Guapo Road, Fyzabad |
Mayaro | 27/4/2017 | 7.00pm | Rio Claro Presbyterian School
25-27 Rio Claro Guayaguayare Road, Rio Claro |
*Moruga/Tableland | To Be Confirmed | ||
Naparima | 27/4/2017 | 6.00pm | Lothians Road Recreation Ground,
Princes Town |
Oropouche East | 03/5/2017 | 6.00pm | Constituency Office
Debe Junction, S.S. Erin Road, Debe |
Oropouche West | 27/4/2017 | 6.00pm | Constituency Office
S.S. Erin Road, Batchiya Village, Debe |
Point a Pierre & Tabaquite (joint) | 27/4/2017 | 6.30pm | Macaulay Community Centre
Macaulay Road, Claxton Bay |
Princes Town | 27/4/2017 | 6.00pm | St Julien Presbyterian School
Sancho Road, New Grant Post Office |
*Barataria/San Juan | To Be Confirmed | ||
Siparia | 26/4/2017 | 6.00pm | Siparia Constituency Office
Penal Junction, Penal |
St. Joseph | 30/4/2017 | 4.00pm | Aranguez Community Centre |
St. Augustine | 25/4/17 | 6:00pm | St. Augustine Community Centre
Freeman Road, St Augustine |
Tunapuna | 28/4/2017 | 6.00pm | El Dorado North Hindu School
Mc Seveny Street, El Dorado Village, El Dorado |
*Dates will be announced for the constituencies of Arima, Barataria/San Juan and Moruga/Tableland in a subsequent media release.