Minister of Transport and Aviation Glenys Hanna-Martin claimed on Thursday that members of the association that represents limousine drivers blocked off the two entrances to Nassau International Airport as part of a continuing dispute with Kerzner International.
But the President of the United Limousine Operators Association Kendal Culmer told The Bahama Journal that the flow of traffic to and from the airport was not disrupted during the protest.
The drivers continue to claim that Kerzner International, owner of the Atlantis Paradise Island Resort, is unfairly participating in the transportation business through a contract with Bahamas Experience Tours, but Kerzner officials claim that their agreement with the tour company is only for a special class of guests, like casino and VIP guests.
Members of the association of limousine drivers continue to insist that the agreement covers all hotel guests, thereby cutting off business to them (the drivers).
Mr. Culmer said that drivers simply blocked the entrance to and from the limousine and tour operators’ section at the airport, preventing Bahamas Experience cars and buses from entering and leaving that area.
Minister Hanna-Martin, who held a press conference on the issue, said that she was surprised to receive news of the protest since the association had already approached her ministry with the allegations, and appropriate steps were made to set up a meeting with officials of Kerzner and the association.
A meeting was scheduled for Thursday (yesterday), she said.
“Members of the United Limousine Operators Association, a new organization recently formed, approached me about 10 days ago about certain concerns they had on Paradise Island as it relates to the transportation issue at Kerzner,” Minister Hanna-Martin said.
“At this meeting, the association also had [its] lawyer present. It was agreed that I would meet with Kerzner with a view to ascertain exactly what the facts were. In fact, they were the ones who informed me that the principals that I would have to speak with were not on the island and it was understood that no meeting could take place until this week.”
She said she met with those principals on Thursday morning in an effort to clarify the issues.
The minister indicated that she was disappointed that the drivers would still take action even though their concerns were being addressed.
According to Mr. Culmer, the drivers’ dispute with Kerzner had been ongoing for almost two years and the Ministry of Transport and Aviation had ample opportunity to intercede in this matter.
“We were involved in a protest at Nassau International Airport against Kerzner International which is a company that is traded on the New York Stock Exchange and as well they are competing here in the local transportation business with Bahamas Experience; and it is to that end we are protesting,” Mr. Culmer said.
“I understand that the minister complained that we had blocked Nassau International Airport. That is not the case. No discomfort was caused to the public. All that happened was the Bahamas Experience operators that transport international guests were unable to move. That was the extent of the protest, which lasted about an hour and a half.
“We have made any number of efforts to get the government to make a decision in the matter, but so far the minister neither the government has had the will or the know how to make a decision.”
Mr. Culmer said the association’s actions were one of “sustained protest” and the drivers will continue to fight for justice.
But the minister said it is unacceptable that any individuals would seek to interfere and disrupt operations at the major gateway to the country.
She warned that authorities will not tolerate that kind of conduct. In fact, the minister indicated that the matter has already been forwarded to the Department of Road Traffic and the police, who will investigate it.
By: Perez Clarke, The Bahama Journal
