And while that permit was granted, another was revoked. 7NEWS has confirmed that the Port Authority has rescinded its permission authorizing the new group, Belize Water Taxi to operate from its office adjacent to the Caye Caulker group. The exploding public issue was discussed at Cabinet today and speaking via telephone today, Minister of Transport Melvin Hulse told us that there was a big mistake in the Port Authority’s permit.

Hon. Melvin Hulse, Minister of Transport
“When it was brought to my attention that a permit was given out for them, I called the board, because the board handles those things, and when they checked it out they found out that yes the permit was given out but in error the word ‘berthing,’ apparently they did not put ‘you should be berthing at Brown Sugar.’ It said ‘berthing at the office’ which puts them right next to the Caye Caulker Water Taxi. So they assumed because the office was there, that is where the permit should be given. When the board realized that, the board met and said it was an error in the wording and that permit for berthing at the office has been cancelled, repealed.

The idea was not to have anybody next to another which would create a congestion. There was a congestion in the river already so it was two separate actions.”

Jules Vasquez,
So right now they are operating…

Hon. Melvin Hulse,
“On a permit to berth back at the office next to Caye Caulker Water Taxi and they will not get one there. That will create a congestion Jules.”

Jules Vasquez,
So in the morning, they will have to operate from Brown Sugar because right now as I understand it this minute, they are operating from adjacent to the Caye Caulker Water Taxi Association?

Hon. Melvin Hulse,
“They do not have a permit to do that anymore Jules and the error has been rectified.”

So to clarify the Minister’s position: 1.) The permit to operate alongside the Caye Caulker Water Taxi is rescinded; tomorrow they must return to the berthing area at the Brown Sugar Marketplace and And 2.) The clearing of fishermen’s boats in the harbour last week was coincidental and part of the general clearing up of port areas; it had nothing to do with making way for the new water taxi. He also categorically denied that the Belize Water Taxi group was given preferential treatment because the principals have a family relation to the Minister of Tourism.