Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, SC, has called for an investigation into an alleged massive reduction of rates and taxes owed by a company linked to the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), saying the decision by the Georgetown Mayor and City Council “cannot stand.”
Speaking on his “Issues in the News” programme, Nandlall said he was concerned by reports that City Hall had written off billions of dollars in rates and taxes allegedly owed by Maikwak Limited, which he said is connected to the business interests of the PNCR.
It was reported that the PNCR’s business arm, Maikwak Limited, now owes about $20 million to $25 million in rates and taxes for the Congress Place property.
Nandlall, however, questioned the legality and fairness of the alleged reduction, saying the matter involved a politically connected entity and a City Council controlled by the PNCR.
He alleged that the amount owed was reduced from about $6 billion to roughly $20 million to $25 million by the Georgetown Mayor and City Council.
“This decision cannot stand,” Nandlall said, describing it as “absolutely unlawful.”
The Attorney General argued that even if the City Council has the power to waive or adjust rates and taxes, it cannot single out one ratepayer, particularly one allegedly linked to its political leadership, for such a benefit.
“There can be no justification whatsoever for this,” he said. Nandlall said any taxpayer could move to the court to challenge the decision, adding that legal proceedings could be filed to quash it.
He also called for the matter to be investigated, describing the alleged write-off as a serious financial issue involving billions of dollars in taxes.
Last week, PNCR Leader Aubrey Norton said his party’s business arm had been activated to generate much-needed revenue.
