Non-compliance hurting HMC’s building and advertising amnesty

The ambitious four-month building and advertising amnesty, which the Hanover Municipal Corporation (HMC) embarked on in April to recoup monies that should have flowed into its coffers, is reportedly not having the desired result but the corporation remains resolute. 
“We remain focused on strengthening compliance with our regulatory responsibilities, and as the building and advertising amnesty draws to a close, I encourage all property owners and advertisers, who have not yet regularised their developments, to take advantage of the remaining opportunity,” said Andria Dehaney-Grant, deputy mayor of Lucea, while addressing the July monthly meeting of the HMC.
Buildings and other structures are still being erected across the parish without the requisite approval, and persons are also mounting billboards advertising events without seeking approval from the HMC.
Dehaney-Grant, who chaired the meeting in the absence of Mayor Sheridan Samuels, said she wants all delinquent persons to make use of the amnesty, which will come to a close at the end of this month.
In addition to the funds that will come to the HMC via compliance, Dehaney-Grant said that obeying the regulatory laws will also protect individual investments while promoting orderly and sustainable development throughout the parish.
“The amnesty is now approaching its conclusion, and while modest progress has been made, the response has fallen short of expectations,” she said, pointing out that of 47 building applications and six subdivisions received by the corporation during the amnesty period, very few were submitted under the amnesty programme.
“The corporation remains encouraged by the level of engagement, but recognises that many property owners have yet to take advantage of this valuable opportunity to regularise unauthorised developments and ensure compliance with the relevant planning and building regulations,” she said.
Dehaney-Grant used the meeting to make yet another appeal to the delinquents, saying it is not too late for them to do the right thing by meeting their payment obligations. Those who refuse to comply are likely to face court action to force compliance.
“This is the final call, for persons to come and regularise, as after the end of the amnesty we will go back to our normal business of enforcing the law as is necessary,” she said.
When it comes to the payment of property taxes, Hanover is one of the parishes with a very strong compliance record.
bryan.miller@gleanerjm.com