By Sue-Ann Wayow
OPPOSITION Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar is pleading with Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley to remove Value Added Tax (VAT) on all food items available in the country so that citizens can have a merry Christmas.
In a media release on Friday, Persad-Bissessar reiterated statements made in Parliament that the nation was grappling with its worst economic downfall and many families were struggling to eat.
She said, “Over the past two years, thousands of persons have lost their jobs leaving their families struggling on the breadline. The Rowley regime claims to have spent over five billion taxpayer dollars in Covid-19 relief, yet little of these monies have reached those in need. Rowley’s empty economic promises have created a nation of empty cupboards and empty stomachs.”
Persad-Bissessar said when her People’s Partnership Government was in office VAT was removed from over 7,000 food items making it more affordable for citizens to purchase food.
“The Government can afford to give the people of Trinidad and Tobago a Merry Christmas by at least removing the VAT on all food items. I plead with Keith Rowley to spare a thought for those going hungry in our nation and implement this policy which will help people to afford to feed their families this Christmas,” Persad-Bissessar said.
