Daraine Luton, Staff Reporter

OPPOSITION LEADER Portia Simpson Miller has urged Prime Minister Bruce Golding not to be tempted to increase interest rates on National Housing Trust (NHT) loans.

Simpson Miller, whose presentation to the 2008-2009 Budget Debate was titled 'Protecting the Poor', pleaded with the prime minister to leave interest rates where they were.

The state-run NHT has a mandate to create housing solutions for its contributors. Persons can obtain a loan of up to $3.5 million, while qualified co-applicants together may borrow up to $7 million. Interest rates vary between two and six per cent, depending on income range.

Suggestions

In recent months, there have been suggestions that the NHT rates could be increased. Prime Minister Golding has said the trust had been treated as a cash cow by politicians in the past. He also said the trust could face a cash-flow problem in the future.

Yesterday, Simpson Miller passionately said, "I am here to speak for them.

"Prime Minister, do not interfere with the interest rates for NHT beneficiaries," Simpson Miller said.

"Don't do it, Prime Minister, don't do it. If you are going to reduce it, Prime Minister, then you have my absolute support on it," Simpson Miller said.

"... Prime Minister, talk to me, it's (NHT) not in trouble," she said.

Golding, talking across the floor, said, "I will deal with it properly ... very properly.

"That man over there had $19 billion and did not pay them," Golding said in reference to former Finance Minister Dr Omar Davies.

Simpson Miller was, however, militant. "We will regard it as a serious breach of the confidence and trust of the people and we will oppose it vigorously."

daraine.luton@gleanerjm.com