Trelawny getting new Tax Administration Building
Published:Tuesday | February 7, 2017 | 12:39 PMLeon Jackson
Western Bureau:
Trelawny is now poised to get a spanking new tax administration building. Work has commenced on the J$136-million, two-floor structure, which is being built on lands donated by the Trelawny Municipal Corporation on Cornwall Street in Falmouth.
On completion of the 4,700-square-foot building, it will bring an end to the frequency with which the Trelawny Tax Administration operations have been moved from place to place because of the absence of a permanent home.
Since the construction of the Falmouth Pier, which caused the dislocation of tax administration operations from its original home at the historic Tharpe House, the entity's operations had moved to three other locations, which have generally proved to be unsuitable.
In an interview with The Gleaner this week, officials of the tax administration said the project, which is being done by construction company M&M Jamaica, is slated for completion in August 2017.
When The Gleaner visited the site yesterday, carpenters were creating a zinc perimeter fence around the site and labourers were preparing foundation outlay.
Other persons are creating their own spin-off benefits, erecting stalls on the outside to sell food to employees on the site.
"Anything that creates any kind of employment benefits at this time is most welcome, because one of the big challenges in Trelawny at this time is a lack of employment opportunities," said businessman John Bryan. "With regard to the new tax administration building, I believe it is about time we enjoy some of the returns on our taxes."
As the project advances, additional employment opportunities will become available for carpenters, masons, steel workers, common labourers, painters and electricians, among others.