UPDATE: Dameon Percival In! Marvin Blyden out!
However, information reaching this news site is that because Mr. Percival was not the recommendation of the Commission, the Chairman Marvin Blyden, has last month tendered his resignation in protest to what he described privately as political interference.
As of news time Mr. Blyden could not be reached for comments, but according to this news site’s many sources inside the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) Administration the subject Minister Mark Vanterpool was the one who took the paper to Cabinet seeking the appointment of Mr. Percival, a former NDP youth activist.
The appointment was approved by Cabinet even though Mr. Percival was not the first choice of the Taxi and Livery Commission who conducted the interviews.
The role of the Director is to work with the Commission to oversee the taxi industry and the operational aspects of the Road Traffic (Taxi Cab) Amendment Act which came into effect last year under the Virgin Islands Party Government.
The powers of the Director via the Commission includes, carrying out safety inspections; removing any vehicle for hire found to be operating in an unsafe manner; monitoring authorized taxi stands and ports to ensure compliance with regulations; and otherwise enforcing regulations.
The Taxi and Livery Commission was chaired by Marvin Blyden, and made up of a representative from taxi operators on Tortola; taxi operators from the sister islands; and a representative of the livery services in the Territory.
Ex officio members include the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works; the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV); and the Directors of the BVI Tourist Board and the BVI Ports Authority.
Mr. Percival is expected to report to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works and will earn a salary of over $48,000 per year in grade 14. The Taxi and Livery Commission Office is located in the DMV Headquarters at Pockwood Pond, on the main island of Tortola.
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