The Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) recently passed a contentious ‘Institutional Rate Policy,’ designed to exempt political parties from paying rates and taxes or to significantly reduce their financial obligations. This move, led by the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR)-controlled council, aims to extend benefits to properties owned by political parties for more than two years.
The decision has sparked backlash from members of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C). City Councillors Alfonso De Armas, Patricia Chase-Greene, and Steven Jacobs have voiced strong opposition, criticizing the policy as unjust and self-serving.
During a news conference on Wednesday at Freedom House on Robb Street, Georgetown, PPP General Secretary Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo condemned the policy, suggesting it is a veiled attempt by the PNCR to avoid a substantial debt.
“We never asked for this. We are the largest political party, so we were shocked that they would rush this proposal through the City Council,” Jagdeo said. “There had to be an ulterior motive, and our Councillors were trying to uncover it.”
Dr. Jagdeo disclosed that Congress Place, the headquarters of the PNCR, owes the City Council a staggering $6.7 billion in unpaid rates and taxes. This debt has accumulated over an extended period due to non-payment, with interest and penalties significantly compounding the amount.
“They have outstanding sums for three other properties – $1.2 million, $988,000, and $3.5 million. Clearly, this proposal aims to deprive the citizens of Georgetown and the Mayor and City Council of the taxes that are rightfully due from the People’s National Congress,” he stated.
Jagdeo accused the PNCR of leveraging its influence within the City Council to manipulate taxation policies for its benefit.
“Imagine if the PPP controlled the City Council and implemented such a policy for itself—you’d see articles expressing outrage all week long. Yet this goes by quietly. I hope that civil society and other groups committed to good governance will take notice,” he added.
Dr. Jagdeo characterized the policy as “typical PNC behavior,” accusing the party of placing its interests above those of Georgetown’s citizens and the integrity of the city’s governance.
He argued that this decision undermines the financial sustainability of the City Council, depriving Georgetown residents of vital public funds needed for the city’s development and services.
With the PNC, it is a case of “do what I say and not what I do”