Opposition Spokesperson on Housing and Sustainable Living, Senator Floyd Morris is strongly condemning the new policy announced by the Government to stop providing further interest rate subsidies to certain categories of contributors to the National Housing Trust (NHT). 

In a statement yesterday (August 18), Morris slammed what he called a “most retrograde step being taken by the Andrew Holness-led Government”, which is demonstrating insensitivity to the needs of the Jamaican people at this most challenging time. 

“Our civil servants, persons with disabilities, police and other such categories of contributors to the NHT are deserving of every ounce of subsidy that is provided to them. These are individuals who continue to make selfless sacrifices for our country and some are amongst the most vulnerable in society”, said Senator Morris.

Morris argued that at a time when the Government “saw it fit to spend J$18 million of taxpayers’ money on the campaign of a minister for an international job”, as well as continuously siphoning J$11.4 billion out of the NHT annually, he is flummoxed at the Holness administration’s struggle in providing a lower interest rate for contributors who are in need of, and deserve the support.

“The Government and the prime minister must be reminded that the NHT is a trust that was established for the workers and as such, policies must be designed to benefit and not disadvantage contributors”, said Senator Morris.

The Opposition is urging the Government and Prime Minister Andrew Holness to reconsider “the ill-conceived and insensitive policy, which once again illuminates the uncaring character of this Government”.