Time to bring back property tax is now

This continues to disappoint many of us who are paying attention to the country’s economy.

There are some members of the Opposition who built their political careers on the “Axe the Tax” campaign in 2010.

These members continue to make public statements angled at trying to make property tax seem oppressive and untimely.

Following their logic, property owners should march in the streets against the property tax.

Citizens should protest and refuse to pay three percent of the rental value of their properties, which amounts to an average of $100 a month on the lower end and for those high-end properties, an average of $500 a month.

Should we therefore continue to add to the billions of dollars lost in property taxes by the actions of the former administration as of 2010? Property owners would then have to ask themselves where will the money come from to build and repair roads, drains and bridges in their communities? How will the Government install and service street lights? Where will the funds come from for garbage collection? Opposition members would have done better to ask about local government reform and having property taxes paid directly to the local government bodies.

Their argument however has been based on trying to score political points by opposing a revenue- generating activity that is not new to the population but critical for our economic survival.

Those who are leading this anti-property tax crusade have politicised the entire issue.

They must be reminded that this tax has always been with us, as with most countries around the world.

This tax took a political break during the UNC-led government.

The time for reintroduction is now and this is a responsible move by the Government.

According to MaxenHouse, “We need the money.”

RONALD HUGGINS St Joseph