BIR, WASA issue resolved

FINANCE Minister Colm Imbert on Friday made it clear that his ministry did not direct the Board of Inland Revenue (BIR) to stop issuing certificates of assessments through district revenue offices. Responding to a question in the House of Representatives, Imbert said all MPs know the BIR is a semi-autonomous body under the law. Based on legal advice, Imbert said the BIR decided to stop issuing the certificates because they flowed from the repealed Land and Building Taxes Act.

The situation is not new and occurred under the former People’s Partnership government as well, he added. Once the matter came to his attention, Imbert said a meeting was convened between the BIR and the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA). As a result of this, Imbert said an amended certificate of payment is being issued by the BIR to allow people to get WASA clearance certificates. “The matter has been solved,” he declared.

Later in the sitting, Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister Ayanna Webster-Roy said the Children’s Authority has to approach the court to vary the orders to relocate five boys who are still at the St Michael’s Home for Boys. A decision was taken this week to shutdown the facility. Webster-Roy said the home is still running at this time.