… investigation reveals

A STUDY done by the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) has revealed that the Caledonia/Good Success Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) increased rates and taxes illegally.

Chairman of the Region Four RDC Genevieve Allen, had ordered an investigation into the issue after residents had raised their concern about an impromptu hike in the fees.
According to a press statement from the RDC, residents had argued that the increase was illegal, but still had to pay the increased fee to the NDC.

Following the many concerns, the investigation, spearheaded by Assistant Regional Executive Officer (AREO) Ramnarine Singh, was launched.
The investigation revealed that the rates varied from 5 per cent to 25 per cent for residential, commercial and agricultural lands/lots. It was implemented since January 1, 2008.

Singh said the then Minister of Local Government and Regional Development had received numerous complaints from property owners about what was taking place. He said the matter was later investigated by the ministry and they found anomalies in the valuation list and the rates imposed by the council.

“The chief valuation officer was informed to conduct a new and complete evaluation of properties in the Caledonia/Good Success NDC areas, in the process of which the previous valuation now being implemented by the council, would be set aside and to consult with the chairman and the overseer of the Caledonia/Good Success NDC and to impress upon them to have the list set aside due to anomalies,” Singh reported.

Singh had also provided samples of rates taken from the assessment register of the NDC. He said the findings revealed that rates for Guyana Soft Touch of Garden of Eden and Falls Service Station at Land of Canaan were reduced from $306,702 to $118, 250 and $1,664,589 to $819,83, respectively.

“The overseer was questioned and said that the chairman instructed the staff to do the adjustment in the Assessment Register with no supporting documentation and did not pass through the council statutory meeting.”

Based on the findings, Singh concluded that the NDC chairman Dwarka Nauth’s actions were illegal and contradicted the standard operating procedures of the council, since he did not seek permission or advice from council before taking action.

The AREO recommended that the Office of the Auditor General should be immediately informed about the discrepancies, so that an in-depth audit of the council records would be conducted. In the interim, he also recommended that the rate and taxes be corrected.

According to the press statement, Nauth admitted that there were some issues at the NDC but said they are all being addressed.

He disputed the assumption that he and some of his councillors have personally benefited from the increase of rates and taxes, maintaining that a minister had granted them the requisite consent even though the record shows that the minister had put the increasing of rates and taxes on hold.

“I nor any of my councillors are benefiting from the rates and taxes being collected. Mr Singh did not bring all the facts to the meeting and I want to say that when we increased the rates and taxes all required procedures were followed,” Nauth said.
Chairman Allen said that she will hand over the findings to the Auditor General’s Office, noting that they would take the necessary action regarding the matter.