Ministers to Make Announcement on Funding for Parochial Roads
By: , July 9, 2017The Key Point:
Photo: Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie left foreground) presents a plaque to Chief Executive Officer CEO) of the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation, Robert Hill, in recognition of outstanding performance in property tax collection the local authority. Occasion was an appreciation luncheon for the all island property tax team, held at the Hilton Rose Hall Resort in Montego Bay, St. James on Friday, July 7. In the background are members of the compliance team.
Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie (left foreground) presents a plaque to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation, Robert Hill, in recognition of outstanding performance in property tax collection by the local authority. Occasion was an appreciation luncheon for the all island property tax team, held at the Hilton Rose Hall Resort in Montego Bay, St. James on Friday, July 7. In the background are members of the compliance team.The Facts
- Minister McKenzie informed that since early this year, he has been having discussions with Minister of Finance and Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw, regarding the establishment of a dedicated source of funds to deal with these thoroughfares.
- Minister McKenzie was delivering the keynote address at a special appreciation luncheon for the all-island property tax team at the Hilton Rose Hall Resort in Montego Bay, St. James on Friday (July 7).
The Full Story
Local Government and Community Development Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, says an announcement will be made shortly regarding funding for the maintenance of parochial roads across the island.
He informed that since early this year, he has been having discussions with Minister of Finance and Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw, regarding the establishment of a dedicated source of funds to deal with these thoroughfares.
“I am pleased to announce that in short order, myself and the Minister (Shaw) will be making a special announcement as to how we are going to respond to parochial roads across the country,” he said.
Minister McKenzie was delivering the keynote address at a special appreciation luncheon for the all-island property tax team at the Hilton Rose Hall Resort in Montego Bay, St. James, on Friday (July 7).
Meanwhile, Minister McKenzie said representatives of his Ministry will shortly be engaged in discussions with Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) with a view towards collecting outstanding trade licence fees.
He pointed out that these fees represent the second largest source of income for the local authorities.
“If we are able to collect 40 per cent of the trade licences across this country, combined with the level of compliance with property taxes, we would be able to cover sufficiently, the obligations of the local authorities,” Minister McKenzie contended.
“The trade licences must be collected. The same way we are going after those who have outstanding property taxes…we are going to ensure that we do a similar thing for those who owe trade licences,” he noted further.
Minister McKenzie commended the property tax compliance team, noting that their efforts assisted in the collection of over $7 billion in outstanding fees.
He is urging Jamaicans to pay their property taxes, noting that it is their contribution to the orderly and sustained development of the country.
The all-island property tax team, comprised of representatives of the Ministry and the TAJ, was moblised to collect outstanding taxes.