PoS port returns to normal
THE THREAT of Government intervention has ended the hauliers’ impasse at the Port-of-Spain port and the population need not worry about higher priced goods being passed on to them during the Christmas season. In announcing that the hauliers had returned to work at the PoS port yesterday, Works and Transport Minister Colm Imbert said the hauliers have now pledged to work with other stakeholders to improve efficiency at the port. Last week, Imbert slammed the hauliers for attempting to charge the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (PATT) an illegal tax, saying Government would not stand idly by and allow the hauliers’ action to cripple the PoS port or the nation as a whole. Imbert said he would speak with Attorney General John Jeremie to see what legal action could be taken against the hauliers. Speaking at a news conference at the ministry’s Richmond Street headquarters in Port-of-Spain, Imbert said he had spoken with Jeremie but the legal avenues that were being considered by the State were "not relevant" now that the hauliers and the business community had reached a consensus on the issue. The minister said he had "withdrawn" from the situation and was happy that both sides have reached an agreement, and the hauliers returned to work yesterday. Imbert said information he received up to 4.45 pm yesterday indicated that 212 containers had been processed and removed from the port. Of this number, 150 were containers for import and 48 import containers had gone to the Customs and Excise Division’s container examination station (CES) on the port. However, the minister said the information is subject to verification. Imbert said the hauliers have accepted that they do not have a contract with the PATT and future issues regarding charges would be discussed with their clients. Noting that hauliers and the PATT have different opinions about the turnaround times for trucks on the port, Imbert said he will get a third party to determine the exact time, and he will hold regular discussions with the hauliers with the objective of reducing truck turnaround times on the port to one hour. Imbert also indicated that discussions about new equipment would be held with all stakeholders in order to improve the port’s efficiency.
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"PoS port returns to normal"