Mozambique: Chapo calls for more robust land law - AIM
Photo: O País
More than 100 tourism venue operators in Gaza are accusing the Provincial Maritime Institute (INAMAR) of secretly increasing private land use fees. INAMAR managers deny the accusations and challenge the complainants to present evidence of the land use fee increase.
According to tolerator’s representative Caetano Valente, the increase, by amounts ranging from 5,000 to 100,000 meticais, came as a complete surprise. “Suddenly, they increased the fees without having met with economic agents or the private sector to explain what is happening. So, we are surprised by this situation,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of 3,000 businesspeople and tourism agents, Valente questioned the criteria defined for the upward revision of the fees, according to him a “200% increase” on the fees for 2024.
“Last year, Haley paid 5,000 meticais because of the situation they had with the esplanade, but this year they received a notification for the same fee of 95,000 meticais”, he explains.
The head of the Maritime Administrator of Gaza, Cesaltino Reino, says that the was a wave of “false information” and invited the groups to present evidence of their accusations.
He explains that, in the aforementioned complaint by Haley, “they presented themselves as having been fined”, and says that “the Maritime Administration has never fined anyone for late payment”.
Reino said that INAMAR had asked the operators who claim to have been fined to present evidence, but “some even said they were charged because they were launching a vessel and no one presented proof of payment”
Cesaltino Reino also criticizes the stance of some tour operators and warns of stricter measures in the coming days.
“There are those who receive the notification and remain silent and are not reacting. It is in regard to these operators that, by some point in June or July, we will process the case with the competent entity”, in this case the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office or the Maritime Court via the Prosecutor’s Office.
Reino says that this measure will be implemented because “these spaces cannot be occupied in vain and people must comply with the law”.
The tourism sector in Gaza remains “in the red”, with accumulated losses of around 17 million meticais and more than 2,500 people out of work.
Leave a Reply
Be the First to Comment!
You must be logged in to post a comment.
You must be logged in to post a comment.