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I support the call of the Govt. for nationwide valuation of properties

Dec 02, 2017 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,
I refer to the letter “I had to laugh out loud” penned by George N Cave, which appeared in the Thursday November 30, 2017 edition of your newspaper. This letter caused me to reflect deeply on the Nation’s Budget presentation done by Honourable Minister of Finance Mr. Winston Jordan.
It is important that I point out one proposal among many that would have a positive impact on City dwellers. The Honourable Minister in the budget presentation articulated that the Government of Guyana would be exploring the possibility of conducting a countrywide valuation of properties to bring property values up to date.
I must congratulate the Honourable Minister on this announcement, since it is timely and relevant at this juncture in the nation’s history, for Municipalities and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils. I totally agree that a countrywide valuation of properties is necessary.
Looking at the issue from a pragmatic perspective, usually in Georgetown, one may pay a Gardener approximately three thousand dollars monthly to remove weed from their yards and to do other gardening chores, this would amount to thirty-six thousand dollars annually. Maybe, in some instances this cost may be more. Further, some citizens in Georgetown, particularly the Sophia area, and even in other outlying communities, pay four hundred dollars weekly for garbage disposal.
In both scenarios, the annual payment is more than the fifteen thousand dollars paid by Mr. Cave to the Council for general rates. Once valuation takes off and the true property value is determined, the general rates would increase, thus expanding the revenue-earning capacity of local democratic organs. This in fact would give them the leverage to provide services efficiently in local communities. Also, they would become less dependent on Central Government thus maintaining their autonomy.
I am happy that Mr. Cave was bold and honest enough to let the public know how much he pays for rates, and that the increase was insignificant and incomparable to his bus fare. This supports the objective of the Honourable Minster of Finance for valuation, and puts the spotlight on the financial challenges of the Georgetown Council and other Municipalities, and explains the urgent need to initiate the whole valuation process with alacrity.
Often many citizens complain that they are not receiving adequate services from their respective Councils and NDCs, but the fact remains that resources are need to provide the same.
I am happy that Mr. Cave brought to the fore his situation, since it helped in an indisputable way to understand the challenges of the Councils. I support the call of the Government for nationwide valuation of properties.
Mr. Rave Persaud

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