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Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller has warned the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) government against increasing interest rates for National Housing Trust (NHT) loans.
Mrs. Simpson-Miller was making her contribution to the 2008/2009 budget debate in Parliament Thursday afternoon.
She noted that if lending rates for mortgages for young professionals and other Jamaicans were to be increased it would have a devastating impact on thousands.
Commenting that many borrowers are now having sleepless nights, wondering if they will be able to maintain their mortgage payments, she urged Prime Minister Bruce Golding not to go that route.
"In this environment of high prices and uncertainty, how could anyone with a conscience want to add to the pain thousands in this way ... rather than looking to increase the interest rates at which the NHT lends, we should find innovative ways to cushion the effect of high costs on the working poor, middle income earners, young professionals and single headed households," said Mrs. Simpson-Miller.
Turning to recent reports of the NHT showing massive losses, she declared that there were no solvency problems with the Trust when her administration left office.
Mrs. Simpson-Miller asked that Mr. Golding provide the nation with an early update on the NHT that will restore confidence in the institution.
Juggling budget figures
The Opposition Leader also accused the JLP administration of attempting to merely balance the books in this year's budget rather than enhancing people's lives.
As her former Finance Minister did on Tuesday in his contribution to the budget debate, Mrs. Simpso-Miller criticised the government for presenting a budget she feels is not credible.
She said the sums laid out in the budget cannot finance the menu of promises made to the Jamaican people without taking into account the high rate of inflation.
She said the money allocated this year will not buy any more goods and services than it did last year when her administration presented its budget.
She added that all the government had done was ought to juggle some numbers.
Wrong priorities
Commenting on the taxation package in this year's budget, the Opposition Leader said the new tax measures show whose interests the government is defending.
She complained that increased motor vehicle taxes will mostly impact the country's taxi drivers, minibus operators, private motorcar owners, haulage operators, truck owners, and other poor working class people.
She declared that the government's priorities are wrong.
"While the poor is being burdened, the government has chosen to give relief of over $1.6 billion to others who are in a better position to bear the burden."
She added that it was time to put the majority of the people of Jamaica at the centre of the development and not under the blade of the tax axe.
Act on food crisis and stop whining
Mrs. Simpson-Miller also added her voice to those expressing alarm about spiraling food costs.
She declared in parliament that as Opposition Leader, her role is to speak for the poor and middle classes whose interests need to be protected.
The former Prime Minister called on government to move quickly to assist the poorest Jamaicans dealing with the effects of the current food crisis.
She told Parliament that the problem needs to be addressed as a serious matter without public officials merely blaming world conditions and told the Government to stop whining and do something about the problem.
"If you're in charge of an organization, a business, a government for one second, one minute, one day, one week, or one month, moreover for seven months, you must accept responsibility for the present situation and find the solution and stop complaining."