By SEAN DOUGLAS Friday, September 25 2009

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Senator June Melville ...

GOVERNMENT Senator June Melville warned of great apprehension as to whether or not the hikes in property tax proposed by the Budget could actually be effected in her native Tobago.

She spoke in the Budget debate in the Senate on Wednesday. Melville said: “Since the presentation of the Budget on September 7, there’s a great degree of gloom, concern and fear in Tobago of the proposed property tax. I know the Government will do its very best to allay the fears, in terms of clarity and relevant information.” She said it was a very sensitive issue.

Melville said Tobagonians want the relevant Bill to effect the tax-hikes to be placed on Parliament’s legislative agenda as soon as possible.

“Land ownership and lack of deeds and title continue to be a serious problem in Tobago. We have situations where the old folks are unable to legitimately will their properties to their children. We have a fear...You hear people talking about it, where they are paying their land taxes but in the Red House there is a different name on their land. So there is that fear, and we need to deal with this Property Ordinance Bill as soon as possible.”.

She said that yesteryear land in Tobago was just taken for granted, as she recalled her relative being given a piece of land simply for buying her aunt a water tank. That has now changed, she said. “Young people appreciate the value of land. No longer do we just sell our land cheaply to the Germans for a few dollars so we can buy a second-grade car.”

She lauded the efforts of the Tobago House of Assembly for trying to ensure Tobagonians retain their land.