The opposition PPP today called on the government to rescind proposed hikes in MMA-ADA rents and charges.
A statement from the party follows:
The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) calls upon the Government to reverse the proposed increases in rents and drainage charges which are about to be imposed by the MMA/ADA on farmers occupying State Lands in Region 5. These fees would represent an almost 600 percent increase; farmers who currently pay $3,500 per acre will be required to pay $15,000 per acre. Cattle farmers who now pay $700 per acre will have to pay nearly $4000 per acre.
These proposed increases must be viewed against the backdrop of the crisis in which the rice industry already finds itself. From all indications, hundreds of farmers will abandon their lands. Cattle and cash crop farmers will be equally devastated. The current economic recession caused, largely, by this Government’s incompetence and their mismanagement of the economy, has cascaded the agro-sector, moreover, the rice industry into crisis. Rather than aid the sector, in particular, the rice industry, the Government has inflicted one blow after another upon the industry and our rice and cattle farmers.
These proposed increases of rents and charges will be another nail in the coffin of the agricultural sector. It will certainly devastate the economy of Region 5. By the closure of Wales Estate, the Government has placed the economy of Region 3 in tatters. Not contented, they are now destroying Region 5. Our information is that similar increases of fees will be imposed shortly on other farmers occupying Public Lands throughout the country. This means that the destruction will soon move to Regions 2, 4 and 6.
We call upon the Government to stop this madness now and to immediately rescind the decision to impose these increases in rents and charges.
