Princes Town MP, Barry Padarath has come out in full support and congratulated Opposition Leader, Kamla Persad Bissessar for her leadership in the fight against the Property Tax.
Padarath stated that against the backdrop of massive unemployment, high crime, high food prices, runaway inflation, high cost of living & increase in utility rates, the PNM Property Tax would have a disastrous impact on citizens, especially pensioners, the middle and lower classes in particular.
He indicated that the economy has become stagnant under this PNM administration and there are thousands of persons in the country who remain impoverished, without jobs, without any assistance from the state. This coupled with a government that continues to tax citizens into poverty may be the nail in the coffin for our local economy.
The Princes Town MP said that it is alarming that despite citizens expressing widespread frustration and concern about this tax, the Prime Minister continues to publicly say that it is his “priority” to implement and collect these taxes in the shortest possible time.
Mrs. Persad Bissessar have proven time and time again that she is committed to protecting the welfare and rights of citizens of Trinidad and Tobago by fighting against the property tax inside and outside of the Court and the Parliament, giving citizens hope and a shoulder to stand on in a time that they most need it.
Padarath further said that the UNC under the leadership of Mrs. Kamla Persad Bissessar remains opposed to the property tax, will continue to seek the interest of the most vulnerable in society and a future UNC government will take all steps necessary to abolish it.
Meanwhile, Member of Parliament for St. Augustine Ms. Khadijah Ameen is also commending the efforts of Persad Bissessar for her steadfast fight against the introduction of property tax. MP Ameen says that the government has been forced to withdraw thanks to the efforts of the Opposition combined with the support of citizens. The Opposition Leader indicated that the government has been bungling the situation resulting in unnecessary hardship upon citizens.
MP Ameen however warns that a vote for the PNM is a vote for property tax since the PNM will introduce the tax if they return to government. She stated that the population’s displeasure with the government may have influenced their reason for delaying the tax as election approaches. The St. Augustine MP reiterated the concerns of the Opposition Leader where no tribunals were set up resulting in discrepancies over the amounts charged to citizens in what is described as an unfair tax.