There can be few other six-letter combinations which cause hackles to rise in Jamaica like 'gas tax'. It is also a combination which sets the nation on edge, reviving unpleasant memories of the April 1999 riots because of gas-tax matters.

It is not only because of potential burning and looting, though, that we caution against imposing the gas tax now being considered, as was reported in yesterday's Gleaner.

Accountability

It's not that we discount the incendiary effect that such a measure always has on a public which knows that an increase in gas prices will have a ripple effect on the cost of consumer goods. Rather, there is also the matter of accountability to consider.

The Gleaner reported yesterday that the National Work Agency's Milton Hodelin told the Public Administration and Appropriations Committee of Parliament the previous day that a tax of over $2 a litre was being considered. The money would go towards road maintenance that the December accident in Portland, in which 14 lives were lost, has brought into sharp focus as it has been strongly suggested that a breakaway contributed significantly to the tragedy.

However, an explosion of emotion at the imposition of a gas tax is one thing. Raising expectations about improved road conditions, using money raised by the gas tax, is another.

Jaundiced perspective

And we suspect that if the tax is levied, then every public and private motor vehicle driver and passenger would expect the road they use the most to be given priority.

This, obviously, would be impossible. However, that would be very hard to explain to a frustrated public.

In addition, the public would be forgiven for holding a very jaundiced perspective on massive road repair and building projects, where cost overruns are the order of the day and shoddy work certainly not unheard of.

So while a gas tax is being considered, we suggest that the public be made more aware of the process and the plans in order not only to prepare them mentally for the additional spending (if the tax is imposed), but also hold the relevant parties to a schedule and standard.

Allaying fears

So we suggest that an estimate of the amount of money which should be collected within a specified period from the gas tax be publicised, as well as an estimate for repairs to specific roads and a list indicating an order of priority.

We believe that this would go far way in allaying the fears of the public that they would have to bear another crippling round of price increases and still have nothing to show but battered motor vehicle front ends, damaged tyres and accidents.

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