LAST WEEK, Minister of Health John Boyce announced that Government would be moving aggressively to recoup funds from landowners who failed to keep their properties clean.
He expressed frustration with landowners who could afford to maintain their properties, but failed to do so.
The minister said the situation had become serious as it posed a threat not only in terms of being a haven for disease-carrying pests and rodents, but also to the safety of those who lived in the area.
He was at the time seeking $3.15 million from the Consolidated Fund to finance Government’s debushing programme.
Online readers came out in support, although some remained sceptical. Here are some of their views.
• Alex Alleyne: Totally agree; it’s about time. For too long persons cleaning neighbours’ unkempt lots for “free” in order to keep away the mosquitoes and rodents, plus the large snails, while the owners living large elsewhere. I do hope this idea does not fall by the wayside or is quickly swept under the rug.
• Sean Downie: Minister, it [is] simple. If you have land with bush on it, you should have to pay the highest land tax of all. If you have crops and fruit trees and trees that can feed a nation on your land, you pay the least land tax.
• Andy R. Boyce: He [is] late but I agree with him on this one. Now invite the public to give [the] addresses of dirty lots, but not at the clinics, as nothing [was] done [the] many times I reported such. Charge the owners more than the real cost. They won’t want that high cost again. We see people [fence] a property to stop people parking or passing on it or stop sheep and cows grazing, but won’t clean the lot. There should be a way for the crown to seize lots if the monies for cleaning aren’t paid. But what about crown lands?
• David Wyndoze: Well done, Sir! Time for action. Public health and rats are everyone’s concern. Do your thing!
• Maria Leclair Dasilva: Bill their outstanding amount on to their property tax bill.
• Sandra Morrison: This threat was made already and nothing positive or sustainable was done.
• Ricardo Worrell: All election gimmicks; vote dem out people!
• Samantha Brathwaite: Hasn’t all this been said many times before?
• David Gill: Wait, ministers actually scoring points today. I agree with the Minister of Health’s position on recouping the cost of clearing lands.
Sherrylyn Toppin is The Nation’s Online Editor.