By NATARIO McKENZIE
Tribune Business Reporter
nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net
The Tax Coalition’s remaining chairman yesterday said it will continue to push for fiscal responsiblity and freedom of information despite Robert Myers’ resignation, adding that the Government was still placing too much focus on taxes.
Gowon Bowe, the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Bahamas partner, he and the Chamber Board supported Mr Myers, adding: “We wish that his name has cleared.”
Mr Bowe has replaced Mr Myers as chairman of the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC), after the latter resigned that post and alos his co-chairmanship of the Tax Coalition.
Mr Myers stepped down to ensure his personal situation did not discred the Chamber and Tax Coalition’s work, after he had been embroiled in a ‘valuation dispute’ with Bahamas Customs over a hybrid Porsche SUV that he recently imported from the US.
“We did meet yesterday (Monday) to discuss the recent events. Robert Myers has been an instrumental force for the Chamber for six-plus years. He has certainly sacrificed his personal time and family time to go into it,” Mr Bowe said.
“We understand the public perception, when you look at it from the perspective that we are preaching freedom of information, accountability and transparency. We wish that his name is cleared in this.”
Mr Bowe emphasised that the Chamber was larger than any one individual, and would continue its push for fiscal responsibility and freedom of information, as well as accountability and transparency in government.
“We are preaching this because it’s what’s best for the country,” said Mr Bowe.
“The Chamber has a number of initiatives that were started this year and those aren’t going to change.
“The Coalition’s message is still going to continue as it relates to getting our fiscal house in order.
“We believe that there is still too much focus on the tax side.
“We want to see feasibility-type legislation that says you can’t do things just at a whim, and that you have to present how you are going to pay it back and account for it.
“We want to see a movement into the 21st century with open government.”
Comments
Regardless 10 years ago
Clear his name? LOL! Do as I say, don't do as I do.
GrassRoot 10 years ago
So if Myers steps down over something small (for which he was probably set up by one of his many foes) my question is, what should happen to all the members of the Government, administration, customs, police, motor vehicle dept., etc. that willingly and intentionally defraud the general public, by looking away, getting unlawful financial and non-financial benefits, don't pay their property taxes etc.? I guess our unemployment rate would explode.
Well_mudda_take_sic 10 years ago
Wow! Poor Mr. Myers. Mrs Poodling (now Her Excellency Mrs Pingdom) got rewarded for not paying her BEC and property tax bills.....rumours abound everywhere that the Numbers Boss Craig Flowers paid her bills for her.....and Perry "Vomit" Christie put her in the Governor-General's House so she can dip even more salary, retirement and other benefits from the People's Public Treasury!
Publius 10 years ago
Name cleared? He was fined, which meant he was determined guilty of the offense in question. According to his own resignation letter, he paid a fine of $10K. In our laws, offenses carry either a fine, prison term or both if convicted or found guilty.
Well_mudda_take_sic 10 years ago
From this point on every shipment of goods coming into Freeport and Nassau for this guy Myers or any of his business enterprises or family members should be subjected to intense careful scrutiny by Bahamas Customs. In fact, a full blown investigation should be undertaken of the duty he and his businesses and family members have paid on goods they have brought into our country over the past several years. Honest Bahamas Customs personnel working in both Freeport and Nassau need to blow the whistle (and provide any evidence they can put their hands on) of wrongdoing and dishonesty by certain of their colleagues in allowing Myers to pay less duty than he and his businesses and family members should have paid or be paying. The same should be done in the case of others who are generally well known to be tax dodgers on a grand scale that seriously harms the financial condition of our country.
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