| PDM calls for U.K. funding, stop to property tax discussion | | Print | |
| Thursday, 03 February 2011 12:13 | |||
 In a statement released Wednesday (Feb. 2), People’s Democratic Movement Leader Doug Parnell called on the interim administration to take property taxes off the table when completing their revenue review this month. He also renewed a call for U.K. financial assistance. Parnell estimates that the interim government requires $175 million from the U.K. to cope with its dire financial circumstances. “The current economic condition, inherited by the interim government, requires this serious level of capital injection to help stabilize government payrolls, rents to landlords and other unpaid debts (currently estimated at $45 million),” he stated. In addition, the party is asking the interim administration to make provisions from this injection to help stimulate the construction industry and repair infrastructure such as the Middle Caicos causeway and the Millennium Highway in Blue Hills. However, PDM officials caution that the money should not be used to replace the Tourist Board with a private sector led tourism promotion board proposed to be the Tourism Authority. The party will soon be offering alternatives on how the tourism industry can be promoted during financially trying times, Parnell said. “A committee has been put in place to undertake this task; and we will at the same time be stressing our belief that it is the responsibility of the government, through its Tourist Board, to promote the Turks and Caicos Islands as a tourist destination, while the Turks and Caicos Hotels and Tourism Association, TCHTA, spearheads the promotion of the individual tourism related facilities, such as the hotels and resorts,” the statement said. A statutory body review was also requested by the PDM, including the National Health Insurance Program and the National Insurance Board, to ensure that the people understand and agree with any demands placed on them by the government regarding these bodies. “We, in fact, demand that no decisions become final until the Turks and Caicos public is fully engaged with the process and the resulting findings, and is allowed to respond on matters that would be affecting their lives,” he said. Parnell, who says his party is actively participating in a regular dialogue with the interim administration, said his party will continue to address these issues as well as others important to the people of the country. Revival of the economy, government management issues and pressing for a election date no later than the first quarter of 2012 are all issues on the PDM agenda for 2011. Click here to read the full statement
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