NOTE This!

THEY SAID…

My concern remains that we have an investor constructing a hotel with an environmental permit that it is substantially in breach of. I do not understand why investors are allowed to break the law.

– Jamaica Environment Trust CEO Diana McCaulay expressing long-standing concerns about the construction of Royalton hotels in Jamaica

The Government, through the education ministry, will not defund high schools. We will ensure that schools are adequately funded in order to educate the nation’s children

– Minister of Education Ruel Reid responding to concerns of principals regarding plans to abolish auxiliary fees

The NHT ought not be involved in being a developer of any type of housing projects and should concentrate on providing mortgage financing to purchasers of projects which are developed and built by the private sector.

– Housing developer Phillip Gore agreeing with a suggestion made by the Caribbean Policy Research Institute that the National Housing Trust should discontinue construction of houses

It is the CIC’s opinion that the law should impose a responsibility on all developers and building contractors to ensure all workers on site operate in a safe environment.

– Dean Burrowes, chairman of the Construction Industry Council, reacting to news of the collapse of a building at the Royalton Negril hotel construction site, which led to the injuring of five workers

Increase on the tax on gasolene may result in negative fallout in the industry.

– President of the Jamaica Gasolene Retailers Association (JGRA), Leonard Green, reacting to announced hike in special consumption tax on petrol by $7 per litre

We can’t be irresponsible and take away revenue and don’t replace it with something. That would be fiscally irresponsible.

– Finance Minister Audley Shaw defending tax measures announced to fund income tax relief