Monday, September 23, 2024
Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis has issued a statement in response to today’s Tribune story detailing proposals by the Water and Sewerage Corporation to increase consumer prices or impose taxes on homeowners with private wells.
The proposals were contained in WSC’s 2023-2028 business plan, and were confirmed as accurate and genuine by Leon Lundy, minister of state in the Prime Minister’s Office with responsibility for the corporation.
A short video was released on Monday titled “Prime Minister Davis Responds to The Tribune Story on WSC and the IDB recommendations”, although the proposals detailed in the story have been put forward by WSC.
Mr Davis said that the headline in The Tribune “has caused Bahamians to believe that the government has taken some decision to increase water prices. That is absolutely not true.”
In the story, Mr Lundy said that “no formal decision” had been taken.
Mr Davis continued: “There is no intention of the government to raise water rates at any time. Nor will we be taxing wells. In fact, the recommendations have been made many many years for the taxing of wells dating back to the Pindling administration and increasing of water rate dating back to the Pindling administration. We do not intend to do either, tax wells or raise water rates.”
A report from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) released earlier this month revealed that an increase in consumer water rates as well as new and/or increased taxes for homes with private wells are included within the WSC plan.
Mr Lundy told The Tribune that the proposals were “in the early phases” of being considered by the government - although they now appear to have been ruled out by the prime minister.
Other proposals in the WSC plan include taxes on reverse osmosis plants used by companies for self-supply, increasing Customs duties on equipment for private wells and to mandate that all businesses have “an active water connection”.
Comments
bahamianson says...
It is the stupidest thing said for the day. Charging people for wells. What is next, tax for pets? Tax for colourful paint? Tax for amount of cars? Good grief. Firw the moron whom mention that. Quickly!!!
Posted 23 September 2024, 1:50 p.m. Suggest removal
ohdrap4 says...
it is beause the greenies around the world own the rain and people cannot even have rain barrels at home.
they also determine how much of your property can be covered by concrete.
they are even planning to stop people from planting vegetables for their own comsumption.
the difficulty is this, there are places in the family islands where one must have a rain water tank or a well because W&S cannot get there.
Posted 23 September 2024, 3:30 p.m. Suggest removal
ExposedU2C says...
HAVEN'T YOU HEARD?!! Corrupt Stumpy Davis has instructed Always Angry Simon Wilson, Bozo Halkitis and the other members of his Goon Squad within the Inland Revenue Office at the Ministry of Finance to find a way to tax Bahamians for the right to breath.
Posted 24 September 2024, 8:33 a.m. Suggest removal
ohdrap4 says...
> increasing Customs duties on equipment for private wells
The duty on water pumps is already 45% as we speak.
Duty on water filters is also 45%
Reverse Osmosis system is 45%
Plus vat.
How much more greedy can they get?
They coming for the gas stoves next.
Posted 23 September 2024, 3:36 p.m. Suggest removal
Hobo2500 says...
They need to increase the rates for high consumption. Like people who have pools. Poor people should not be subsidizing rich people to fill up their pools. The government should be thanking people who have a well or RO system or a rain water tank. Maybe even encourage people to install rainwater tanks.
Posted 23 September 2024, 3:45 p.m. Suggest removal
ThisIsOurs says...
In the absence of intelligent leadership with strategies for growth, encouragement of real innovation from the people with the ideas as opposed to stealing ideas and pretending they came up with it, then implementing it badly and actually stifling growth.... they nowneed money and are looking for an excuse to take it
Water tanks is as good a reason as any...
Posted 23 September 2024, 7:58 p.m. Suggest removal
ExposedU2C says...
WHAT A LIAR!
Posted 24 September 2024, 8:33 a.m. Suggest removal
sheeprunner12 says...
Based on our level of service from WSC these days, we should ALL get off the grid.
We are paying for essential services that we don't adequately receive in 242.
Posted 26 September 2024, 2:27 p.m. Suggest removal
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