NGO: ‘Please for an ease’

THE head of a Non-Governmental-Organisation (NGO) which works with at risk youth, is asking Government for some sort of relief from the fuel tax which took effect from July 1.
Founder and Chief of the Nature Fun Ranch (NFR), Corey Lane, said the new tax, which will be levied at a rate of 40 cents per litre of petrol, 40 cents per litre of diesel, and five cents per litre of kerosene, is going to have significant impact on the cash strapped organisation.

Lane said while he supports the fuel tax in principle, he believes that there are some special cases that exists within society that cannot afford to pay the tax and noted that measures should be put in place to assist those “special cases”.

He explained that prior to the controversial National Social Responsibility Levy (NSRL), the Ranch had to search for as much as BDS $1 500 to cover its monthly fuel cost.
However, with the introduction of the NSRL and its subsequent increase, he said the NFR’s fuel bill skyrocketed to over BDS$2 300, becoming a heavy financial burden for the Ranch.

“It is estimated that an additional BDS$2 300, could be expended by the organisation over the period of a year, just in fuel tax alone. So, not only will we feel that burden monthly, but by the end of the year, I think that that would have a significant toll on the organisation which is struggling really to just keep the operations going,” he said.

“So, it is a very nervous time for the board and management of the Nature Fun Ranch as we strive to continue to work with the communities across Barbados,” Lane added.
The founder of the Fun Ranch also stressed the point that transportation and fuel has always played a critical role in the effective running of the operations of the countryside Ranch, collecting and dropping off young people from across the island on a daily basis.

In addition, Lane noted that transportation is also needed to run the daily operations of the facility.

“So it is really fuel intensive, and it is something that was always concerning to us. But now, the increase of fuel prices and fuel taxes and so on, obviously would cause an additional burden. So this is something that we, from the time we heard it, I mentioned to our Board of Directors to start to put pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard, to write to the various Ministry officials, to see what relief we can get.

“I don’t think that what we are doing is begging for a favour, but what we are asking for is a facilitation of the work that we are doing on behalf of Barbados’ youth in particular. When I am requesting, I always see it as help me to help you,” he said.

Lane reminded that his project has the potentially to save the country money in the future, through keeping young people out of a life of crime, and incarceration.

“So facilitating the Ranch with 5 000 to save you 60 000, isn’t really too hard to ask, and that is really what we are putting out there,” he said.

The 20-year-old NGO has assisted hundreds of youth, and continues to do with Lane noting that there is presently a long waiting list. (AH)