“Cash-strapped”, “starved of resources” and “wallowing in financial shambles” are just some of the terms used by even those in the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) of Georgetown in the past to illustrate the body’s inability to provide services to its constituents. Therefore, many mouths were left agape, and even more eyebrows raised, when the very “cash-strapped” and “starved of resources” M&CC passed its ‘Institutional Rate Policy,’ designed to exempt political parties from paying rates and taxes or to significantly reduce their financial obligations.
The move aims to extend benefits to properties owned by political parties for more than two years. It was later revealed that the policy will be available against the backdrop of a whopping $6.7 Billion rates and taxes debt incurred by at least one political party. That entity is Congress Place, the headquarters of opposition party, the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), whose members dominate the M&CC’s membership.
The passing of the policy has not garnered favour from those in the M&CC aligned with the ruling People Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), which has already posted a receipt proving it is financially compliant.
The decision has sparked backlash from City Councillors Alfonso De Armas, Patricia Chase-Greene, and Steven Jacobs, who have dubbed 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.
The PNCR, however, has not responded to the claim.
Instead, the party restricted questions to prepared statements read today by its Treasurer, Elson Low and Chairman, Shurwayne Holder during a press conference. Both men called for transparency and accountability in government spending, highlighting the administration’s excessive spending, poor planning and alleged lack of due diligence in executing massive projects.
They, however, did not interject when the moderator Shanieka Haynes disallowed questions on the alleged sum their party owes to the managers of the capital city. Haynes said that the party will host another engagement to deal specifically with this issue. The party’s leader, Aubrey Norton was visibly absent from today’s conference.
