"PH" drivers should start operating legally in about one month's time, said Jack Warner, Minister of Works and Transport. Even as he promised that, Warner was planning to get rid of an illegal PH taxi stand at Ibis Gardens, Caroni, which is making life difficult for residents. Warner's action came in response to a wave of residents' complaints about the "taxi-stand" at Harris Street, Caroni. The Chaguanas West MP met with disgruntled residents on Tuesday night at a town meeting at Tanager Drive. He was told the "PH" drivers had blocked the western side of the roadway, creating a one-way street and making access into the community difficult.
Residents demanded an alternative location be found for the drivers to operate. An area near the South Bank Road was suggested. Warner said he would write to the police and transport officials to have the drivers relocated. He said "PH" drivers should start operating legally in about one month's time. He said legislation was before a review committee and a draft would then go to the Cabinet and then to Parliament. Warner also promised to address issues surrounding the title for land for the residents, a play park and roads in the area. He also pledged to assist the mother of a sick child who suffered from seizures and needed urgent medical care.
Diana Rampersad's two-year-old baby, Aasina Mohammed, suffers from myclonic absence seizures and needs further testing at the John Hopkins Hospital in the United States. The child suffers from over 100 seizures a day. The family will leave tomorrow for the hospital. The Ministry of Health has contributed $68,400, which is the maximum it is allowed to give, for the tests at Johns Hopkins, However, Rampersad needs another $36,000. Warner said he would make representations to the Health Ministry or use his personal funds.