City threatens to sue port for $15M debt

THE Port-of-Spain City Corporation is planning to levy on the Port Authority to recover more than $15 million dollars representing rates and taxes. At its last statutory meeting, the council recommended that the chief executive officer (CEO) write the chairman of the Port Authority, Noel Garcia, informing him that levy action was an option the corporation is strongly considering to recover its money. Mayor Murchison Brown confirmed the possible legal action against the Port Authority, and said such action would also be applied to all persons and/or organisations who are found to be in the “bad pay” books. Acting corporation CEO, Laraine Alexander, who also confirmed that the Port Authority’s debt is outstanding, said, “The corporation spoke to the CEO at the port, and a payment of $300,000 was made with the promise that the arrears would be liquidated as soon as possible.

“But so far, we have not heard further from them.” Both the CEO and the Mayor said the corporation needed the money badly in order to continue the city’s work. Port officials were unavailable for comment. In other City Council news, the Mayor said traffic laws would be enforced rigidly in the city to curb the bad habits of motorists, from next Monday. There will be a heavy police presence in the area that encompasses Independence Square South, Richmond, Oxford and Charlotte Streets. Traffic tickets will also be issued to offending motorists, and the wrecker will be removing vehicles. “All those who contravene the traffic regulations by parking on the wrong side of the road will have their vehicles towed away by the authorities,” the Mayor said. The campaign against street vending will also get back in full swing, he said. The Mayor also renewed the offer to street vendors to make use of Woodford Square on Fridays and Saturdays.