T&T to axe property taxes

Friday, June 04, 2010

THE property tax in Trinidad & Tobago will soon be axed.

New Attorney General Anand Ramlogan, said the first order of business will be to bring legislation to have the controversial Property Tax law repealed.

The required legislation should be completed in a matter of days, Ramlogan told members of the media following an official handing over ceremony of the Office of the Attorney General held at Cabildo Chambers on St Vincent Street this week..

In the previous Parliament, the People's National Movement (PNM) Government brought the controversial Bill, which provided for an increase in property taxes for land and homeowners.

Despite widespread objections from citizens, the Bill was passed last December in the Lower House with the Government's majority, and then in the Senate when Independent Senator Michael Annisette voted along with Government.

The People Partnership had promised in its 2010 general election manifesto to "rescind the property tax" within its first 120 days in office. The tax was a major issue on the campaign trail leading up to the May 24 election with the People's Partnership promising to throw it out if elected.

Ramlogan said that this will soon be done.

"Rest assured that (the rescinding of the property tax) would be among our top priorities. The top priorities will be the abolition of the property tax, you can take it that that can be completed in a matter of days," Ramlogan said.

Ramlogan met with former Attorney General John Jeremie earlier this week who officially handed over the office of titular head of the Bar.

During this meeting Ramlogan said the Calder Hart investigation was discussed.

Hart, the former executive chairman of the Urban Development Company of Trinidad and Tobago (UDeCOTT), is currently being investigated in relation to possible perjury charges arising out of the Commission of Enquiry into Trinidad's construction sector.

Ramlogan said he expects to receive a report about the Hart investigation very soon.

The possible charges Hart faces relate to his denial that there was any relationship between his wife and two directors of Sunway Construction Ltd, formerly CH Development Ltd, which was awarded a TT$368 million contract to construct the Ministry of Legal Affairs Towers in 2005. Sunway was later granted an additional TT$300 million contract to outfit the building. At the time Hart was chairman of UDeCOTT.

In documents made public and provided by the Congress of the People (COP), Sherrine Lee Hart, whose birth name was Lee Soh Wah, was shown to be the sister-in-law of Ng Chin Poh, one of the directors of Sunway. The documents also showed Mrs Hart is the sister of Lee Hup Seng, another Sunway director.

The AG's office has sent documentation to officials in Malaysia to authenticate the certificates.

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T&T to axe property taxes