Govt. to Pursue Delinquent Tax Payers

Prime Minister Bruce Golding has said that the Government would be aggressively pursuing tax collection from delinquent persons.
Tax collection, he emphasised, would help solve some of the nation’s economic problems.
The Prime Minister was addressing some 400 Jamaican nationals and friends of Jamaica at a town hall meeting, held at Nova Southeastern University in Davie, South Florida last week.
In a wide-ranging presentation, Mr. Golding said the Government has taken a decision to find alternative sources of energy, given the high price of oil on the world market.
He also spoke of reducing the country’s dependency on imported foods, adding that new farming methods would be applied using modern technology, as well as targeting investors to explore food projects throughout the island. “We are too rich to be poor,” he stressed.
The Prime Minister pointed out that currently there were about 365,000 persons living below the poverty level and that budget provisions would target assistance programmes.
Regarding education, Mr. Golding spoke of plans to strengthen early childhood education programmes; and on crime, he said there were plans to strengthen the capacity of the security forces as well as making greater use of technology and equipment.
The Prime Minister said he would like to see the Diaspora movement become more structured and focused, so that nationals could play a greater role in governmental decisions at home.
Referring to Jamaicans abroad as “our greatest ambassadors,” Mr. Golding said that the island could not survive without its Diaspora.
While he was proud of the significant contribution to the island, in terms of remittances, the Prime Minister argued that the country could extend more than just token acknowledgement. He said it was important to engage the experience, knowledge and skills of the Diaspora more effectively in tackling some of the problems at home.
A question and answer session followed. Mr. Golding was accompanied by newly appointed Ambassador to the United States, Anthony Johnson.
On Saturday (March 29), the Prime Minister and his delegation worshipped at the Maranatha Seventh Day Adventist Church with a 500 strong congregation, largely Jamaican nationals. Officiating pastor was Dr. Keith Harding, also a Jamaican national.
Mr. Holding ended his visit on March 30 when he was guest speaker at the second annual Community Service Awards ceremony of the Jamaica Consulate. Thirteen Jamaican nationals were honoured for pioneering work, preservation of culture and extraordinary achievements.