Power 106 FM election news, Tuesday July 17
Written by JamaicaElections.com
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Peace move in West Portland
The political candidates for the constituency of West Portland are to appoint liaison officers in the constituency to help quell increasing political tensions.
The decision was reached during Political Ombudsman Bishop Herro Blair’s meeting yesterday meeting with Member of Parliament Abe Dabdoub of the People’s National Party (PNP) and Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) caretaker Daryl Vaz.
The candidates were called to a meeting after Mr. Dabdoub reportedly refused to meet with Mr. Vaz, because he had allegedly told him expletives.
Bishop Blair says he is confident that the agreements made yesterday will help to diffuse the tensions.
Dwight Nelson opposes consolidating PAYE deductions
Opposition Spokesman on Information, senator Dwight Nelson says he does not support proposals to consolidate all taxes deducted from employees’ salaries.
Government says this would aid areas of the private sector in need of greater funding.
But Senator Nelson says such a system could result in the government investing in a particular sector for political reasons.
Senator Nelson is insisting government maintain the current tax deduction structure.
Opposition opposing National Insurance Fund withdrawals
The Opposition is taking issue with the Government’s decision to withdraw more money from the National Insurance Fund (NIF) to use outside of the purpose for which it was intended.
Opposition spokesman on Labour and Social Security Ruddy Spencer expressed concern about the announcement yeterday by Information Minister Donald Buchanan that Government would lend US$15 million to the Norman Manley International Airport Limited from the fund.
The NIF loan will have a fixed percentage rate of 8.5 per cent per annum to be paid every three months over the next three years.
The amount is to be repaid in 68 quarterly installments after the initial installment.
Last year the Portia Simpson Miller administration first withdrew millions of dollars from the Fund; at which time Government assured the money would be repaid.
Universal Access fund to collect debts
Managing Director of the Universal Access Fund Hugh Cross says steps are now being taken to collect outstanding sums owed to the entity by delinquent companies.
Mr. Cross says defaulting carriers were given a payment deadline of December 30 last year.
He says three companies are still in arrears and have been disconnected and prevented from terminating international calls in the island.
Revenue earned from the charges is being used to finance the national e-Learning project, which is part of the Education Ministry’s plans for transforming the education sector.
Mr. Cross says the Fund has so far provided financing of approximately 143 million dollars for the E-Learning Project. This compares with the estimated 50 million US dollars which was identified as the cost for the project.
The Universal Access Fund Company Limited, which was set up in May 2005, is a government entity that collects a levy on incoming international calls to Jamaica.
Revenue of $2.5 billion has been earned so far.