Rice farmers operating within that Paradise/Evergreen Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) owe over $50 million in arrears for rates and taxes.
Reporting at the Region Two Regional Democratic Council (RDC) statutory meeting, NDC Overseer Simeon Brummel said farmers are reluctant to pay their outstanding arrears. He said the rates and taxes are owed mainly for drainage and irrigation services. Brummel said residents in the area also owe the NDC some $1.8 million for rates and taxes for their properties. The overseer said the council will conduct a house-to-house collection exercise during the year and will take legal action against defaulters. He also informed the RDC that demand notices will be sent to these defaulters. Rice farmers who owe rates and taxes for drainage irrigation services up to December 31 2006 are required to pay their arrears to the various NDCs.