Transport Minister Devant Maharaj yesterday revealed that no insurance company had consented to providing coverage for the proposed legalisation of Private-for-Hire ('PH') taxis in T&T. Maharaj said so in response to a question on yesterday's Senate Order Paper by Opposition Senator Fitzgerald Hinds. The T&T Guardian reported exclusively of the move in July 2010. Maharaj told legislators that then Works and Transport Minister, Jack Warner, held several consultations with the affected stakeholders. Hinds also wanted Maharaj to indicate the names of the insurance companies, if any, which have agreed to issue policies for the protection of passengers using the PH taxis which were proposed to be legalized.
Maharaj said: "There is no record of insurance companies stating categorically that are be prepared to insure 'PH' taxis now or when they become regularised." Hinds then asked what was the likelihood of the initiative becoming a reality in T&T. This prompted Attorney General Anand Ramlogan to say while seated that Hinds' question should be filed as a new question to be answered. Maharaj shared the view and advised Hinds to file the question in writing for answer at a subsequent sitting of the Senate. Hinds filed another question for oral answer, this time to Foreign Affairs and Communications Minister Dr Surujrattan Rambachan.
Hinds wanted to know if any special courtesies or privileges were afforded former FIFA executive Mohamed Bin Hammam when he visited this country in May 2011. Rambachan said no special privileges were afforded bin Hammam. He added: "Normal courtesies that would be extended to any VIP guests at the executive jet centre, South Terminal of the Piarco International Airport were afforded." Rambachan said the Airports Authority "protocol officers were in attendance to escort the guests to be processed by the border control agencies." He confirmed that the delegation arrived via private aircraft. Rambachan said he was advised that Bin Hammam and his contingent "adhered to all the relevant laws of T&T" upon their arrival in this country.
Hinds wanted to know if the Immigration and Customs Declaration available to the Government. Rambachan said: "That was a new question." Also in the Senate yesterday, Leader of Government Business said: "The Government does not at this time intend to introduce legislation in Parliament to replace the Privy Council and make the CCJ (Caribbean Court of Justice) our final appellate court." He was responding to a question on the matter from Independent Senator Helen Drayton.