To reduce the cost of hinterland travel, taxes on ATVs & boat engines to be removed

The government has decided to remove the taxes on All-Terrain Vehicles and boat engines for additional categories of use, President Dr. Irfaan Ali announced on Saturday.

President Ali acknowledged the high cost of transportation in hinterland regions. Because of this high cost, a decision was made to remove the taxes beyond the categories already benefiting from the tax cuts.

“We are not deaf to your concerns. The future is very exciting for the next five years,” President Ali told residents attending a public meeting in Region One (Barima-Waini) on Saturday.

Taxes will be removed on ATVs purchased for travel in hinterland areas. Previously, tax exemptions applied only to ATVs used for mining, forestry, and agriculture. Additionally, hinterland residents will no longer be required to pay taxes on the purchase of 40-horsepower boat engines used for transportation.

Additionally, President Ali said investments will be made to slash the cost of air, river and land transport. Airfare, in particular, has been a sore concern for many hinterland residents.