By Azara Lavia
Amid concerns over rising cost living and limited disposable income, the Member of Parliament (MP) for St John’s Rural West, Richard Lewis, is urging the government of Antigua and Barbuda to reconsider its plan to increase vehicular license fees.
The proposal has sparked public outrage, particularly among the citizenry who are already facing financial strain.
In a Facebook statement, MP Lewis said that despite recent announcement of record revenue collections from the Customs & Excise Division and the Inland Revenue Department, the government is considering additional fees that could further burden residents.
He also questioned the necessity of such increases, pointing out that the Antigua and Barbuda Transport Board (ABTB), a key statutory body, is believed to be highly profitable. The St John’s Rural West MP, stated that, according to Section 10 (2) of the Transport Board Act of 1995, the Board’s profits could be transferred to the Treasury to help fund vital public services, such as roadworks, without imposing further costs on the people.
Lewis emphasized that the public should not bear the brunt of financial pressures when a profitable government entity has the potential to contribute to the national budget. He urged the government to explore alternative solutions, such as using ABTB’s profits to ease the burden on citizens.
He further highlighted that the most recent audited financial statement from the ABTB dates back to December 31, 2018 and according to the MP ,this delay in reporting raises serious questions about transparency and accountability, as highlighted in the latest Public Accounts report from the Director of Audit.
“Where is the oversight? Where is the accountability?” Lewis asked, stressing that the government must ensure proper management and transparency in public sector entities before imposing any new fees on the public.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne recently announced plans to introduce a new road tax aimed at funding a $100 million bond for road repairs, nationwide.
The proposal, which would see an increase in vehicle licensing fees, is intended to accelerate much-needed infrastructural improvements across Antigua and Barbuda.
Speaking on his radio station, the Prime Minister said the government is looking to generate approximately $8 million annually from the increased fees — which would be used to repay a loan to repair the country’s roads — over a period of 10 to 15 years.
He argued that the investment would provide long-term benefits such as reducing vehicle maintenance costs for motorists and improving traffic conditions.
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