Opposition Leader Urges Government to Avoid New or Higher Taxes in Budget 2025

Dr. Godwin Friday’s Radio Program

KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent, CMC—Opposition Leader Dr. Godwin Friday is urging the government not to introduce any new or higher taxes when Finance Minister Camillo Gonsalves outlines the budget measures to Parliament on Monday.

However, on Thursday, legislators will debate the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for 2025. On his weekly radio program, Friday said the ruling Unity Labour Party (ULP) government had repeatedly taxed the people during its 24 years in office.

“The people in the grocery store, they’re touching the turkey, they’re touching the ham, and they don’t know whether to pick it up or not because the cost is so high,” Friday said, adding that he had been aware of the hardship families faced during the just concluded Christmas season.

“The present government has been in office for nearly 25 years. What they have done is they have taxed the people over and over and over again, and … they better not bring any taxes in this budget this year because that would be unconscionable,” Friday said, noting that the government has excused new or higher taxes as “a small thing here.

“You’re charging a little bit more … to get your electricity approved, or more here and on vehicle licensing. ‘That ain’t no big deal.’

“Well, if it ain’t no big deal, why are you putting it there first? It’s a big deal because the government takes money from your pocket. And this year is a year the government should be giving back to the people.”

Motorist Tax

Friday said the country’s roads are in bad condition, which amounts to a motorist tax. “What it is is an indirect tax because when the government doesn’t fix the road, you gotta fix your car.

“And so, you keep paying and paying. These fees increase yearly, and the government does not fix the roads. Then you have to turn around and change suspension parts on your vehicle, change your tires and all kinds of thing,” Friday said, telling radio listeners, “This present government, they better not. I’m putting them a notice here today. They better not bring any taxes in the budget 2025”.

Unspent Funds

In January 2024, Parliament approved a budget of EC$1.6 billion (One EC dollar = 0.37 cents) for that year after a debate that ended prematurely.

Meanwhile, Friday is calling on the government to spend the EC$136.4 million that Parliament approved last year following the passage of Hurricane Beryl on July 1, 2024.

“They have not delivered to the people with the money that we have voted for them — $136.4 million,” the Opposition Leader said.

Southern Grenadines

Friday noted that Parliament approved the money in supplementary estimates following the category one cyclone, which damaged or destroyed almost all of the buildings in the Southern Grenadines.

“And yet, the people in the Southern Grenadines, particularly in Canouan, had a bleak Christmas this year,” Friday said.

“My constituency was hit too, in Bequia, but it pales in comparison. I’ve been to Union Island recently and see that many homes still have no roofs. People are living in conditions that they should not be in six months later,” Friday added.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Dr. Godwin Friday is urging the government to avoid introducing any new or higher taxes in the budget 2025. He believes that the government has repeatedly taxed the people and that this year, they should be giving back to the people. Friday also highlighted the need for the government to spend the unspent funds and to address the issues faced by the people in the Southern Grenadines.

FAQs

Q: Why is Dr. Godwin Friday urging the government to avoid introducing new or higher taxes?
A: Dr. Godwin Friday believes that the government has repeatedly taxed the people and that this year, they should be giving back to the people.

Q: What is the current state of the country’s roads?
A: The country’s roads are in bad condition, which amounts to a motorist tax.

Q: Why is Dr. Godwin Friday calling on the government to spend the unspent funds?
A: Dr. Godwin Friday believes that the government has not delivered on the funds that Parliament approved last year following the passage of Hurricane Beryl.

Q: What is the situation like in the Southern Grenadines?
A: The people in the Southern Grenadines, particularly in Canouan, had a bleak Christmas this year, and many homes still have no roofs.