Thursday, July 9, 2015
By RICARDO WELLS
Tribune Staff Reporter
rwells@tribunemedia.net
THE decision by the Bridge Authority to delay the introduction of Value Added Tax on toll fees at the Sidney Poitier Bridge to Paradise Island was today endorsed by Free National Movement Deputy Leader K Peter Turnquest.
Mr Turnquest welcomed the decision, insisting the idea to “further tax the working class made no sense”.
A notice in The Tribune today from Bridge Authority management advised Paradise Island employers and employees, residents, transport companies and the public that VAT on tolls has been postponed “until further notice”.
The Bridge Authority announced last week that it would increase toll rates by 7.5 per cent as of midnight on July 13. The toll for single axle vehicles would have seen an increase from $1 to $1.08; $2 becomes $2.15 for double axles; and $3 becomes $3.23 for triple axle vehicles.
On Sunday, Mr Turnquest labelled the move as a “burden on the working class”, insisting the people who would have been affected the most were primarily the “workers going over to Paradise Island to work”.
Labour Minister Shane Gibson, whose department has responsibility for the Bridge Authority, referred all commentary on the matter to Bridge Authority Director, Melissa Hall. She could not be reached for comment.
Comments
Cobalt says...
"Turnquest Backs Decision to Delay VAT on Bridge Toll Fees????" Seriously????
VAT should have never been implemented in the first place! When the delegates from New Zealand recommended that our government considered using VAT; one of the first things that they insisted upon was that a "freedom of information act" be put in place so that the citizens of the Bahamas could evaluate and assess the manner in which their tax dollars were being spent! However, Prime Minister Perry Christie and his PLP conveniently ignored this portion of the recommendation, and initiated VAT in the manner they saw fit!! This is criminal to say the least!!
And with this knowledge in mind.... this is all Peter Turnquest has to say on the matter??? What kind of nonsense is this????
Posted 9 July 2015, 5:28 p.m. Suggest removal
TalRussell says...
Comrades, what are we call deputy leader red shirts cuz so confusing when one day Tribune calling him, K Peter Turnquest, Peter Turnquest and sometimes just K.P.Turnquest? I thinks we needs knows he true identity?
Posted 9 July 2015, 6:33 p.m. Suggest removal
sansoucireader says...
Where is the article "VAT On Bridge Toll Fees Delayed"?
Posted 9 July 2015, 7:46 p.m. Suggest removal
TheMadHatter says...
It says there was a "notice" in today's paper from the Bridge Authority. I didn't see the paper, so don't know.
Posted 9 July 2015, 11:43 p.m. Suggest removal
sansoucireader says...
Yes, I read the article on the front page of the paper. I'm trying to find it here on-line. The headline is there but 'clicking' only takes you to this story. Wanted to post it on FB but it's not here.
Posted 12 July 2015, 12:40 p.m. Suggest removal
watcher says...
**On Sunday, Mr Turnquest labelled the move as a “burden on the working class”, insisting the people who would have been affected the most were primarily the “workers going over to Paradise Island to work”.**
I have news for Mr Turnquest, something he may have missed in the last 6 months........
***ALL*** VAT is a burden on the working class, not just the bridge toll. It is a tax that the Government has imposed on the few working families in this country, in order to pay for decades of political mismanagement.
Posted 11 July 2015, 3:55 a.m. Suggest removal
BoopaDoop says...
Amen. True Dat. BOOM!!
Posted 11 July 2015, 6:22 p.m. Suggest removal
gangof4 says...
Perhaps one of the stupidest, most ridiculous things ever proposed by any government administration in our entire history.
You really couldn't make this "Sugar, Honey (and) Ice Tea" up if you tried (although some pin head obviously did)!
Posted 12 July 2015, 2:30 p.m. Suggest removal
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