Government has been praised for starting a major household survey this week to boost an Economic Empowerment Zone in Court Street and the general north-east corner of Hamilton.

But action should be taken now even as interviewers set out to canvas the views of around 400 householders about what they want to see happen to their neighbourhood to improve the quality of life and job opportunities, according to the United Bermuda Party?s race and economic spokesman MP Jamahl Simmons.

He spoke in the wake of Finance Minister Paula Cox?s announcement of a wide-reaching survey of businesses and residents within the EEZ area in north-east Hamilton expected to last for three weeks.

Ms Cox said: ?The survey seeks to collect key information pertaining to the economic and social well-being of all household members living in the area. The combined results will be used to assist Government in designing policies that facilitate economic and social empowerment for area residents.?

The initiative was welcomed by Mr. Simmons: ?It shows Government is listening and adapting, but it shows they went in there without a plan and vision for an EEZ.

?There are a number of things they can do now without a survey. They can offer land tax relief for the home owners, incentives for housing rentals for lower income tenants, payroll relief for businesses in the area and they could waive Government fees relating to Planning permission or expansion of businesses.

?They could look at payroll relief for businesses that expand and hire more Bermudians. These are things they could be doing now. We urge Government to immediately take action. They should not just wait for the survey results.?

However, Mr. Simmons cautions that while putting in incentives to provide favourable economic conditions, Government should ensure the scheme is not exploited by outside businesses muscling in and displacing businesses and people who already live in the area.

?The EEZ idea has been successful in most places but one of the tricky things is to ensure that the businesses that are already there are the ones that thrive and grow.

?You need to make sure that new businesses don?t move in there and pillage and displace the people who have chosen to live and work in that area,? he said.

Announcing the start of the survey, Ms Cox said interviewers would display official ID badges and be authorised to collect data.

All interviewers are sworn to secrecy regarding the information they collect and face severe penalties if convicted in court of disclosing collected information to unauthorised sources.

The survey is being conducted by the Bermuda Small Business Development Corporation in collaboration with the Department of Statistics.

Householders can contact the Department of Statistics to arrange an appointment with their interviewer by calling 297-7610.