Transport Minister Daryl Vaz, says he’s willing to withdraw comments he made rebuking Opposition Leader Mark Golding’s position on the recent fare increase granted to taxi and bus operators.
But, during an emergency press conference on Tuesday, the minister says a recant of his statements will require Opposition Spokesman on Transport, Mikael Phillips, to discuss the matter with him.
Chevon Campbell tells us more.
The transport minister has expressed a willingness to de-escalate the recent war of words between himself and the opposition.
He’s calling on his opposition counterpart, Mikael Phillips, to come to the table.
On Monday Minister Vaz lambasted Mark Golding for criticising what he saw as the government failing to cushion the impact commuters face with a 19 per cent increase in their fares.
He likened Mr. Golding to a socialist despot seeking power and relevance at any cost.
Mr. Phillips strongly condemned Minister Vaz’s comments as intemperate and ill considered, threatening to pull out of the Transport Sector Steering committee if they were not withdrawn.
However, the transport minister says the fare increase which was arrived at through consensus with all stakeholders should not have been dragged into the political arena.
The minister reminded his Opposition Counterpart that the recommendations regarding the fare increase were shared with him prior to them being announced to the public.
He says it’s clear that Mr. Phillips is under a great deal of political pressure to speak out despite his reluctance.
He’s urging him to rethink his position.
Meanwhile, Minister Vaz says it seems Mr Phillips has been backed into a corner by his political party regarding what appears to be his conflicting views on the fare increase for public transport sector.
Speaking on Nationwide at Five on Tuesday, Minister Vaz says he’s willing to give Mr. Phillips political advice on how to handle such matters.
Minister Vaz says the advancement of the transport sector exceeds political gains.
Daryl Vaz, Minister of Transport.
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