Highway Maintenance Levy gets green light in parliament

The levy will go towards maintaining the nation's roadways
The levy will go towards maintaining the nation’s roadways

The Highway Maintenance Levy has been given the green light in Dominica’s parliament.

The levy, which is now a law in Dominica, came into effect on September 1 and will go towards the maintenance of the nation’s roads.

Commercial vehicle owners have to pay $150 per year; private vehicles, $100 and motorcycles, $50.

Those who fail to pay up will be committing an offence and is liable, on the summary of conviction, to a fine of EC$500 or to be imprisoned for up to three months.

Parliamentary Representative for Laplaine, Petter Saint Jean, said in parliament that citizens of Dominica have the responsibility to contribute to the improvements of the country’s roads.

“And while we recognize that the passage of Tropical Storm Erika has seriously compromised our road network, we as citizens have a responsibility to be the first contributors to ensure that we can improve and upgrade or return those roads to what is was pre-Erika,” he said. “We cannot wait on foreign governments who tax their citizens to come and make a contribution to upgrade our roads! We must make a contribution!”

Public Works Minister Ian Pinard said the new levy is quite small pointing out that government has spent over $400-million in infrastructure development in Dominica over the past five years.

“It’s not a big amount, it is quite small, and what we are asking Dominicans, well not all Dominicans but motorists, to pay to maintain our road network,” he said

He pointed to the Tan Tan road project which cost $7.2-million in two phases; the Roseau road reinstatement which cost $22.2-million, the Grand Bay road, $8.4-million and the sea defence wall in Soufriere/Scott Head, which cost $12-million in phase one and $18.6-million in phase two, among others.

But Opposition Senator, Felix Thomas, said the intention of the levy is only about collecting money.

“The intention, Madame Speaker, is about revenue collection of this administration,” he noted. “The history as we can see with respect to the highways, the present condition that they are in, unkempt roadsides Madame Speaker, the poor signage on roads. I would like to see and hear from the other side of the House where we are going to make practical use of this levy and direct it to those areas that can show that we have a proper road condition, a proper road signage, get rid of derelict vehicles on the roadside because all these things help to attract a certain level of investment to our country.”

He added, “I would like to impress on the honorable member for Pointe Michel, that with that levy, we could breathe new life into Public Works.”

The Public Works Corporation has been on a downward spiral for years now in terms of finance and a number of staff members have been laid off while others have filed for redundancy.

 

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32 Comments

  1. 1979
    November 30, 2015

    He added, “I would like to impress on the honorable member for Pointe Michel, that with that levy, we could breathe new life into Public Works.”

    SHOULD I BE WEARING MY CYNIC CAP TODAY??? YEAH I THINK I SHOULD PUT IT ON…..

  2. yes sir
    November 29, 2015

    This is a great idea as long as the money is being used for the sole purpose of road maintenance. We need to step up and stop depending on the rest of the world to solve our problems. Because gues what, those countries collect taxes from theri citizens to give to Dominica so imagine what they might be thinking about us.

  3. Jay
    November 29, 2015

    Why not just put up road tax? Even better, fuel tax… isn’t it better that those that burn the fuel pay for the roads?

  4. Storm
    November 29, 2015

    Levy Tax , Levy…. This government does not fail to disappoint at all. For years Dominicans pay Drivers license, so where does such cash go…. Now they have highway fees?
    Where in Dominica can be considered highway… With all the bad roads north south east and west, why should the poor Drivers pay for that?
    The roads were always in a royal mess before Errika, so right now is hell Dominicans going through.
    This government is very wicked and insensitive to bring such Highway way levy at this time..
    It’s an out of timing move……..
    The sequel abuse acts and other laws are more important than this one at the moment. .
    Why wouldnot the Government look at rebuilding Dominica?
    The sad thing is that Dominica is going down day after day..
    While government minister getting richer day after day..
    If you guys can’t do the job please get out of here. .
    Salute the Pm on his choice of the Baroness.. Congrats Madam
    But that’s one good decision in 14yrs. …..Pm must always do…

  5. Working poor
    November 29, 2015

    Oh boy paying the levy is one but will the roads be actually maintained. What happen to the money we pay for vehicle license?

    Another way to tax those already paying income tax, VAT, Vehicle license. Then the money to do what support lazy party boom boom flies who refuse to do a stroke of work to develop the country. That too shall pass.

  6. Take it
    November 28, 2015

    We just accepting anything they throw at us, why they doesn’t raise the wages an make things easier for young ppl,
    Law by there everything now is law,
    Them man wicked, things just started to get worse

  7. architect
    November 28, 2015

    Petter St Jean speaks of TS Erika when this levy was planned way before, plus it makes me wonder how did the government arrive at charging $150, $100 and $50? it seems like a serious tax hike and what’s the plan as to how will this money be spent? is it going to be spent on imported Chinese workers repairing our roads when we have unemployment problems to attend to or is it to pay back for the Roseau Portsmouth highway renovation?

  8. Tony
    November 28, 2015

    Hello and good afternoon my people. Well I think it is a useful tax but only if they used the fee strictly to maintain the roads. The best way to collect this fee is when they have to register their vehicle and if they refused to pay the fee then they won’t receive a registration sticker. The Government should also put tolls at critical points on the road and used the money to maintain the roads.

  9. UHURU
    November 28, 2015

    While you guys are thinking ahead, I suggest a toll for passenger carrying vehicles at the bridges entering th roseau area.

  10. November 28, 2015

    now we are talking levy and maintening roads but we have to start moving all the old cars & other junk
    that on the side of the road they are eye soar and they bring rats and other pest in the areas the owners know they cannot be repair but still hold on to them they take up side walk in small inner village roads
    and that also government and city counsel should put their foot down and say lets clean D/A.

  11. nassau
    November 28, 2015

    The aint going to do any maintanane skrit. All the million portholes will still be there. The vehicle licence should be lowered or changed to every two years. It’s mush too much and the time comes so quickly.
    Some people in the town, prefer to take the bus to go to the country. Their high way tax is the bus fee.

  12. FREENESS IS WORRINESS
    November 28, 2015

    I have no problem with the road tax. but it should go directly to public works to maintain the roads networks around dominica…. but soon enough we will see that no roads will be maintain and the money will do back to pay civil servants. oh what a circle of failure.

  13. La Plaine
    November 27, 2015

    Is this the best time to slap this on a beaten up and broke Dominican tax payer?

    Peter, What was the road condition from Pond Case to your home like prior to Erika?
    when last was any major or any rehabilitation work done on this portion of road in the past 15 years?
    Will we see any major road repair done on this portion of road in the next five years?
    To date this is the most dangerous portion of road on the south east, erosion from below, landslides from above, overflowing bridges, road crossings disappearing and flood prone areas.
    Due to its condition you traveled to Roseau on Monday and return home on Thursday.
    Guys, be real there is no more milk in this poor beaten up, ripped up cow, you all need to feed it nourish it or just return to it what you all have ripped off from it…. Get real oh evil and wicked souls

  14. De Londoner
    November 27, 2015

    A very good move. Next should be the introduction of parking tolls in Roseau, and the encouraging of park and ride, ie you park your vehicle outside of Roseau, and use public transport (Bus and taxi ) to,get into Roseau central.
    Those are the steps required to curtail borrowing and/or begging other countries.

  15. SN
    November 27, 2015

    A Highway Maintenance Tax is a good idea, but its implementation is poor. The fees are too small to make any meaningful impact. Besides the difference between commercial rates and private rates is too small. It would have been a better scheme if the government had implemented a gas tax and a toll system. Thus, everyone who buys gas and every vehicle owner contribute. No need to worry about unlicensed vehicles on the road. For the toll system, commercial vehicles should pay higher rates than private vehicles. Hopefully, the government will see the economics of going with the gas tax and tolls. The gas tax has practically no implementation costs. The toll fees would require some upfront costs prior to implementation, but it would be worth doing so.

  16. DomiChina
    November 27, 2015

    The Road Tax is not an issue.

    What could be is what someone mentioned about a pothole bursting someone’s spring or shocks and damaging someone’s tire…then who is going to repair it and how can one claim for damages caused by the roads. I think this could be done another way by installing levy gates and the government getting away from liabilities. Once it is law it should be law that someone’s vehicle be repaired if damaged by the road they are lawfully paying to use.

    vehicle owners are already paying high insurance rates for their vehicles and drivers licenses and vehicle licenses.

    Why not impose a tax on the insurance companies who are collecting insurance premiums and always trying to evade claims.

    That is a form of double taxation on burdened people.

    the Police are not enforcing the law for uninsured vehicles because it seem they have most busses and bus drivers on the road. This has caused a reduction in the treasury amount.

    the Levy gates are better –…

  17. Crab and Manicou Hunter
    November 27, 2015

    I hope they fix the Layou road. That road has been in a deplorable state long before that woman Erika get vex and flood the place down with water. I just bought a new pick up and it already taking blows from that road. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

  18. beautiful Lady
    November 27, 2015

    I hope when I visit Dominica the roads will be in proper condition, I will see.

  19. Watching and Listening
    November 27, 2015

    The highway maintenance could employ ONLY public works road maintenance workers…….

  20. Peter Potter
    November 27, 2015

    I have no problem with the levy. However, this government can not even collect the annual vehicle license. Well over 50% of vehicles in Dominica are untaxed. When is the police going to enforce our existing law and make vehicle owners pay their dues???

    • Zandoli
      November 27, 2015

      This government is not about enforcing any laws. People, including the police, wantonly break the laws without consequence.

    • The Real Facts
      November 28, 2015

      If they do not pay their vehicle license, they should not be able to renew their license until they pay it. If caught without a valid license, their vehicles should be confiscated and they should be charged. They should not be driving. First, everyone has to pay their fees to the government.
      Dominica is in dire need of some serious Laws which should be respected and obeyed. The authorities should stringently apply them.

  21. November 27, 2015

    Once again u guys ard showing your true colours . Google Road Tax world wide

    • FREENESS IS WORRINESS
      November 28, 2015

      so all taxes that are world wide should be instituted in an island with no manufacturing, no agriculture, declining tourism and rampant corruption.

  22. silentoney2k
    November 27, 2015

    I do hope that the roads will be maintained and if not then any damages caused to my vehicle because of the roads not being maintained that the government will pay for the repairs.
    The government should be looking at ways to foster economic growth and private sector development not just imposing taxes on an already over-burdened people. These additional taxes just don’t help.

  23. ?
    November 27, 2015

    I have no problems paying, ONCE OUR ROADWAYS ARE ACTUALLY MAINTAINED: No potholes, no bush/brush growing from trenches and gutters into the road, proper sidewalks FOR WALKING, well lit roads, PROPER READABLE signage, proper guttering for water run off. But if all i am paying for is the same crappy bag of absolutely nothing and is only when festival or cricket happening is when they want to have 7 man filling holes individually one by one then no.

  24. too late
    November 27, 2015

    hahahah dem fellas need money boy. laba kah twavay

    • FREENESS IS WORRINESS
      November 28, 2015

      they blew 32 million in 30days a few months ago…. want not waste not…. I wonder if is labour money or dominica money that was spent

    • The Real Facts
      November 30, 2015

      Which country can operate without nationals paying their taxes? Governments depend on taxes.

  25. Zandoli
    November 27, 2015

    If this is truly a “Highway Maintenance Levy”, all the money that collected should go into a special fund geared solely to road maintenance. It should not go into general revenue to fund other government expenditures.

    • Music Producer
      November 27, 2015

      Good luck with that one, Zandoli.

    • Jusua
      November 27, 2015

      I wish I had more thumbs up….99 days for the ______!

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