The FF Plus is strongly opposed to the exorbitant hike in property valuations in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro (NMBM), which will inevitably translate into an unaffordable increase in assessment rates.
The current economic climate in the country and the low interest rate do not justify the expected increase of 9,5%. The FF Plus is of the view that the increase must not exceed the current inflation rate, which is approximately 5%.
In light of the poor service delivery in NMBM, it seems that there is little hope for a correlation between the higher assessment rates and an improvement in service delivery.
The Metro must rather focus on collecting its outstanding debt, which can be attributed to the culture of non-payment that was cultivated by the ANC's ideology.
It is unfair to further burden the Metro residents who are already under immense financial pressure. Instead, the NMBM must act as a responsible and concerned municipality.
Residents have until 30 April 2021 to lodge objections to the new valuations of their properties, which will take effect on 1 July until 30 June 2025.
The FF Plus encourages all residents to check their property valuations for any errors on the Metro Council's web page at: http://www.nelsonmandelabay.gov.za/page/2021-general-valuation.
The forms for lodging an objection can be found by following this link: http://nelsonmandelabay.gov.za/documentslist?searchtext=objection&categoryid=8.
The FF Plus will keep fighting for quality service delivery on behalf of all Metro residents.
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