-PPP councillor blast PNC/R push for tax cuts for political parties
-says move will further ‘burden city’s finances’

City Councillor of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), Alfonso De Armas has criticised a policy made by the Peoples National Congress/ Reform led Georgetown Town Council to implement reduced tax rates for political parties.
Viewing it as ‘self-serving and detrimental’ to the city’s residents, De Armas in an invited comment to the Guyana Chronicle on Wednesday evening argued that the policy, which excludes political parties younger than 10 years, is a form of politicking that will further burden the city’s finances.
On Thursday, it was revealed that the PNC/R owes in excess of $6.7 billion in taxes for its headquarters (Congress Place) in Sophia.
De Armas pointed out that the city council has been ‘cash strapped’ to maintain and execute its mandate to city residents.

“That policy is reprehensible… the PNC politicking should not be some of the expense the residents of Georgetown.”
“They’re putting the party above the needs of the residents of Georgetown. You see how cash-strapped they are, they can barely maintain the garbage situation. We need the money desperately and we’re going to give these guys a break that is reprehensible,” he stressed, while questioning the opposition led municipal body’s use of funds for garbage disposal and resources, suggesting that the money could be better spent on city services.

Despite the policy’s approval by the council, De Armas noted that the PPP/C councillors would explore legal options to oppose it, emphasising the need to protect the city’s interests.
On Thursday, The PPP General Secretary, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, pointed out that aside from the taxes owed for the party’s headquarters in Sophia, there are outstanding debts for three other properties owned by the party.

According to Dr. Jagdeo, the party owes $1.2 million, $988,000 and $3.5 million for those properties and the recent policy amendments is to deprive the citizens of Georgetown and the main Town Council of taxes that are due to them.
“This is a political party that is influencing the taxation policy in an entity that it controls to benefit itself. Just imagine if the PPP was in control of the City Council and did that for itself.”