A few days ago, we reported that city Councillor with responsibility for Traffic Michael Theus had been stripped of that portfolio. The report was that he was stripped after issuing taxi license plates when the council had decided that no more would be issued. Theus, for his part, says that he voluntarily gave up the portfolio.
Whatever the case, we do know that traffic officers have been going around the city tracking down taxi-men who were issued with these plates - and changing them for private plates.
That's what happened to the always outspoken Phillip Fawda Henry. He told us that he is going to protest to get his license plate back.
Here are his comments:..
Phillip "Fawda" Henry
"I had my license approved by Mr. Theus and it was sign by Mr. Theus and my stuff was approved. I saw several people going in there and getting their stuff approved, in the 70s series Mr. Theus has approved several license for taxi. After my taxi license was issue - Mr. Jenkins was there also and was signed by him - I receive my plates and was doing taxi around Belize City for two weeks. After the two weeks I was approach by some traffic officers and was escorted to the traffic department to remove my license plate from my car. I ask why, when I went in there and I paid to receive a taxi license and was approved by the council. They are picking a beef with Theus but Theus is not doing anything wrong. He is doing the right thing, he is giving taxi license and we are paying the council. They did not reimburse by money. I need my money back or I need my "god damn" taxi license plates back on the car."
"I am going to form a strike against them with all the people that they have taken away plates from. We are going at the city council to demonstrate for two months with our cars."
There are reportedly two dozen taxi plates which are being rescinded.
