An estimated 30,000 central citizens who commute daily to and from Port-of-Spain and from Chaguanas to San Fernando are facing the risk of being stranded. This from president of the Route III (Green Band) Maxi Taxi Association, Julian St George, who said more than 320 small and big maxis plying these routes were served a notice to move by the owner of a parcel of land they have been occupying in Chaguanas by June 6.
St George said the association, supported by Chaguanas to Port-of-Spain taxi drivers, intend to park up their vehicles soon and stage a protest if they don’t get redress. St George said this is the fourth eviction notice they have received by the land owner. He said maxi taxi drivers have been engaged in a two-year battle for the land.
He said the association, using its own funds, has paved the side road opposite Mid Centre Mall and installed a urinal for drivers. He claimed that cadastral maps show the land was formerly a “road reserve” and belonged to the State. St George said the man who claims he owned the land went to court against the State and won the case.
He said since then there has been a move to evict them but the Government promised to get the land for them by either compulsory acquisition or by purchasing it from the land owner. He said the maxi drivers may be temporarily relocated to Ramsaran Street but said this would pose a safety threat to drivers and passengers and cause other discomforts.
Chaguanas Mayor Gopaul Boodan said he inherited the problem from the former mayor. He said the Government has been seeking to settle the land issue with the owner with the matter even reaching the Attorney General’s Office. He said he was not sure, but heard the land was a part of the DeVerteuil Estate and the new land owner bought it over.
Boodan said he plans to meet soon with the drivers and all stakeholders find a resolution. He said the borough’s ultimate plan is to create a comprehensive transit hub in Chaguanas from which buses, maxi taxis and taxis will operate. He sent out a word of comfort to the maxi taxi drivers. “Rest assured you are not alone in this.”