EDWARD SEAGA says he would have resigned as leader of the Jamaica Labour Party if he felt that charges of GCT irregularities made against one of his companies would hurt the party's chances at the polls.
"I would not seek to embarrass my party and if I felt this would affect our chances at the polls, in any way, I wouldn't be here," Mr. Seaga was reported as telling Jamaicans attending a luncheon in his honour at the Water Club in Miami on Wednesday.
Mr. Seaga is still in the United States with a group of his party's executives on a "Up-front-and-close tour" of South Florida which, the party says, is aimed at reconnecting with expatriates and making new friends for Jamaica.
The luncheon, hosted by a group of expatriate Jamaicans who have named themselves "Concerned Jamaicans," ended in discussions and questions and answers during which the Opposition Leader was asked about his General Consumption Tax (GCT) woes.
Mr. Seaga responded: "If there was any doubt in my mind, I would not be at the forefront. The Government is contending that I owe them GCT; I am saying I don't. I hired managers to run my property and it was their responsibility to ensure such payments were made. I had no authority to hire or fire or to sign cheques. The matter is before the Court and I am sure it will be resolved fairly."
Mr. Seaga's Town and Country Resorts Ltd. is appealing a $30-million assessment in outstanding GCT payments by the Tax Commissioner. He attributes the failure to pay to an American company, DHC Hospitality, which was managing the company during the period of assessment.
Spokesmen for "Concerned Jamaicans" told the luncheon that Jamaican families were moving into the Palm Bay area of Florida at a rate of "32 families per day." The main reasons listed by those attending were high crime rate in Jamaica and poor treatment of returning residents in Jamaica.
Mr. Seaga spoke mainly on education and the economy. He said the country needed major investments which could inspire confidence and set the tone for development.
The touring party also includes JLP deputy leaders Olivia "Babsy" Grange and Ed Bartlett, Delroy Chuck, MP; Arthur Williams, a deputy general secretary, and Arthur Brooks, a caretaker for Westmoreland Western.
