The Editor, Sir:
There currently exists a battle between the Government and the people of Portmore over the imposition of a toll, which according to most of the residents, is unjust, unreasonable and immoral.
The residents have tried every legal and civil avenue available to them to bring their message across to the Government and the country about this injustice; however, they lost in the streets (protest), in the courts and in the media, as most of their voices have fallen on deaf ears.
The residents, however, have been gaining ground as support has been coming from various sectors of the nation and that is worrying to the Government, so now the only other option available to them is to set up the rest of Jamaica against Portmore. 'Divide and Rule.'
The subtle but effective message being preached is that if Portmore gets a ÔreasonableÕ toll, the ÔrestÕ of Jamaica would have to pay for it, even though they (the rest of Jamaica) are not using it. A simple but very effective message, because no reasonable person would want to pay for something they are not using or benefiting from. This is the message being played out by all representatives of the Government; however, they need to explain the following:
1. If Portmore is being subsidised currently, that is the difference between the Ôcapped and the going rate, who is paying for the other leg of the Highway, as they are not charged the capped rate.
2. Who is paying for the North Cost Highway project which is years and dollars in overrun?
3. Who is paying for the US$40 millions over budgeted White House hotel project?
4. Who is subsidising the JUTC low bus fairs? The company is racking up Millions per day in losses.
I am certain that the residents of Portmore pay their fair share of taxes just like any
other law abiding citizen in this country, and the rest of Jamaica is currently paying too.
I am, etc.,
Concerned Portmore Citizen
