News, Top Story

NCOPT Issues Urgent Call for Establishment of a Disciplinary Committee

NCOPT President, Godfrey Ferdinand
NCOPT President, Godfrey Ferdinand

President of the National Council on Public Transportation (NCOPT) Godfrey Ferdinand is demanding immediate action from the authorities regarding the establishment of a Disciplinary Committee.

Ferdinand spoke of the overwhelming demand to make this disciplinary committee operational to eliminate “some of the bad eggs” from the system.

“The Disciplinary Committee [is the only authority] that can recommend suspensions [and] can recommend your permit to be revoked,” Ferdinand said in an interview with HTS this week.

He highlighted that revoking drivers’ permits is rarely enforced in Saint Lucia, which significantly hampers the agency’s ability to implement stringent regulations against offending bus operators.

“We need to take different approaches to stop the carnage that’s happening on our roads in Saint Lucia,” he asserted.

Ferdinand argued that since the Ministry of Transportation issues permits, it is their responsibility to suspend or revoke them when necessary.

The president was given a clear mandate by operators this week to convey to the government the need to prioritize this matter.

Ferdinand said that there “should be some expedited effort to … to put that on a fast track.”

If no response is received within the next two to three months, the NCOPT will express their dissatisfaction to the government.

Additionally, Ferdinand raised concerns regarding southern bus operators who are vocal about poor road conditions and the necessity to penalize delinquent operators. He urged the government to “at least put speed guns on the road.”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Send this to a friend