Local Government Minister, Desmond McKenzie, has rubbished claims that the Government intends to raise market fees.

This in the wake of criticism and a call for clarification from his Opposition counterpart, Natalie Nieta Garvey.

She had raised concern about market fees, following comments by Mr. McKenzie, during the recently held Local Government Debates. He was responding to questions about considerations for increasing fees to maintain the markets.

At the time, Mr. McKenzie said the existing market fee rates must be looked at.

In seeking to clarify his position, Mr. McKenzie said in a statement yesterday that the Government has no plan to increase market fees.

Mr. McKenzie described the Opposition’s criticism as a desperate ploy by a party struggling to connect positively with voters.

In supporting Mr. McKenzie’s stance, Mayor of Kingston, Delroy Williams said the Government has demonstrated its commitment to vendors.