Port operations normal despite hauliers’ crime protest

TTHA general secretary Curtis Seepersad said yesterday was the start of a three-day protest by the hauliers which concludes tomorrow with the hauliers withholding their services at Port-of-Spain and Point Lisas.

Yesterday, hauliers placed the national flag or a red cloth on their trucks as a sign of their concern about crime and as a call to the authorities to bring the situation under control. The hauliers worked yesterday and will be working as usual today, but will withhold their services tomorrow.

Seepersad said three of the TTHA’s members have been victims of crime over the last year and the association’s members are vulnerable to the criminal elements given the long and irregular hours which they work in hauling cargo to and from the nation’s maritime ports.

Seepersad expressed the hope that the relevant authorities would assist the TTHA in coming up with effective security measures for its members. He also disclosed that the TTHA will explore security options on its own to protect its members against the criminal element.

Seepersad added that the TTHA viewed this as a serious matter since its members transport approximately 90 percent of the cargo flowing into and out of the nation’s ports.

Meanwhile, the TT Manufacturers Association is expected to meet sometime this week with Works and Transport Minister Colm Imbert to discuss proposals to build a new $1.5 billion Port-of-Spain port in the Sea Lots area and other matters pertaining to the existing port.