Jamaica Labour Party’s communication chairman, Senator Abka Fitz-Henley, says Opposition Spokesman on Finance, Julian Robinson, is disingenuous in his criticism of the Holness administration’s handling of matters concerning the land occupation row at Coopers Pen in Trelawny.
Robinson blasted the government for its failure to collect approximately $26 million in taxes owed by the owner of the property, New Falmouth Resorts Limited.
But Senator Fitz Henley says Robinson did not disclose to the public that the People’s National Party, PNP, administration of 2012 to 2016 accrued about $25 million in legal costs that it was due to pay to New Falmouth Resorts after two defeats in its court battles with the company.
Shaloy Smikle reports.
Nationwide News revealed on Tuesday the two unsuccessful court challenges mounted by the then PNP administration which saw the state liable to pay over $25 million in legal costs to New Falmouth Resorts.
Senator Fitz-Henley addressed the issue when he appeared as a guest on a podcast on Sleek Radio, hosted by Gabrielle Hylton.
Senator Fitz-Henley says Robinson’s attempt to denigrate the lawful owners of the Coopers Pen property should be contemplated in the context of the findings of the Supreme Court in 2014.
The court strongly criticised the attempt by the then PNP government to seize the property to accommodate people who, in the view of the court, were encouraged by politicians to squat on the property.
Senator Fitz-Henley says the PNP’s conduct then and now, regarding the Coopers Pen property, should be a source of concern for all well-thinking Jamaicans.
