And apart from this new bus system, the other issues on the table today were based on the demands that the BBA made during their press conference on Monday. They wanted two things: that the transport board's chairman be removed within 72 hours, and that the NBB rep get a seat on the board. Well, the rep will have his seat, and will be providing financing for the bus association, but what about the chairman? Well, that's a part of the negotiation. However, the minister did agree that the alleged secret meetings between some members of the board - and other sketchy behavior - would come to an end.
Thomas Andy Shaw, President, BBA
"We came to an agreement of which I told them that even though we were in there having those meetings, I told them I want to see a press release this evening, I want it in black and white because I don't want us to discuss something in there and then somewhere along the road they change the goalpost."
"We were asking to have the guy from the bank have a seat on the board, they agreed to that. We also explained to him the way that the transport board is set up. I let him know that the minister, the CEO, shouldn't be in our meetings. He did agree to that, because that's one of the main problems. We're also asking for the removal of the chairman. After a long deliberation, we agreed that the chairman will be put on 6 month probation, of which I told them that I need that in writing as well because the chairman is the core of the problem. After this meeting today the minister got more of an understanding of what was taking place within the transport board. He's going to call him in and let him know that he has to discontinue what he was doing."
Rodwell Ferguson, Minister of Transport
"All of that has been rectified and going forward, the board will be in harmony to work for the betterment of the bus industry."
Courtney Menzies:
"So were there secret meetings happening between 2 or 3 of the members?"
Rodwell Ferguson, Minister of Transport
"I don't know about that because I don't sit on the board."
Courtney Menzies:
"But you were in some of those meetings."
Rodwell Ferguson, Minister of Transport
"No, I never been in board meetings unless they request me to go there."
Reporter:
"But did you address it with the chief transport office to find out what happened here?"
Rodwell Ferguson, Minister of Transport
"Yeah, everything has been secured and set, we are here in harmony for the betterment of the bus industry."
You heard Shaw say that they were also demanding a press release with all the agreements by this evening. So far up to newstime, we have yet to see that release.
