Tuesday, 5th October 2020 —My mind’s never-ending thoughts keep rambling on the cost of living in paradise. These financial matters concern all a’ we, no matter where we live. The prices of food, beverages and services – fees and taxes – keep increasing even though a few of them have decreased. None of us can afford to continue paying more, especially when our incomes are reduced, a fixed amount or non-existent in many cases. I am really questioning the World of Man and how he has created a disproportionate imbalance that causes the majority of people on the planet to suffer.
Greed, along with corruption, mismanagement of funds and theft, are the root cause of the world’s economic situation which impacts everyone. Why is it that a mere one percent of the global population has control of all the world’s wealth? Even though I have no satisfactory answers, I ponder this question every day. There are measures governments, commercial enterprises, organisations, as well as individuals, can implement to relieve some of the pressure we are under to support ourselves, our families and our communities.
With the COVID-19 pandemic, I recognise purchasing products from overseas and shipping costs to Anguilla are much higher due to increased fuel costs and indeterminate factors. However, if businessowners are more diligent in fairly pricing items, then people can generally afford to buy what is needed. I have found some grocery stores on island don’t always have accurate price stickers on what they’re selling. Oftentimes the prices listed on the shelves are lower than the prices indicated in the cash register’s point of sales system. At other times, there are no price tags on the items for sale – and none have been entered into the automated system, so cashiers are unable to scan the products and get a price check.
As shoppers, this is frustrating because it means either paying more for something that used to cost less, exceeding the amount of money budgeted for grocery shopping, not buying the item because no one is available to accurately price it or having to return to the store at another time to buy what was wanted. Many customers have encountered this happening on numerous occasions at one local grocer’s in particular, although it occurs rarely at other establishments. Is this lack of accurate pricing due to employees and/or management not doing their jobs properly, or are fewer staff able to attend to such matters? I am not sure what is the hindrance and haven’t asked the businessowners to find out what’s the cause.
With regard to fees and taxes, my concern is with what the Government of Anguilla charges and collects. Some fees are much too high, such as for licensing vehicles and driver’s licenses. I can’t believe that we pay EC$685.00/US$254.82 annually to register an automobile and EC$310.00/US$115.32 for a 3-year driver’s license. Couldn’t these fees be lowered if GOA implemented an across the board sales tax on all store-purchased items, except basic food stuffs, toiletries and things which are of necessity for daily living? That way everyone – all residents, tourists and visitors – would contribute to the government’s coffers.
It’s baffling the millions of dollars owed by the entities that haven’t been collected. Thankfully, some past due monies were paid recently due to a public servant’s personal collection efforts. What procedures are in place to collect on delinquent accounts? Why aren’t they continually utilised? Why do those who have the money to pay not settle their accounts?
I’m also wondering what’s going on with the Inland Revenue Department’s processing payments. On 2nd June 2020, I paid for my vehicle license renewal by credit card at the IRD drive-through window. The transaction was not posted to the creditor’s bank until 22nd August. What is the reason it took the GOA over two months to post this transaction?
What about the cost of quarantine? Most locals cannot afford to pay it even if we’re travelling for healthcare, visiting aging parents and relatives who are ill, or attending a funeral. Shouldn’t these fees be reduced for Anguillian nationals/residents?
Money is essential for our survival in this world. We will always be in need of some form of currency. Hence, we all must learn to manage spending and settle our debts properly.
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Kay M Ferguson is a conscious writer, who writes under the nom de plume Empress Extraordinaire, composing words to enlighten and uplift humanity. Connect with her on social media — Facebook and LinkedIn or email anguillawriter@gmail.com.
