Hearings continue in Tower Hill inquiry
July thirtieth, like many dates prior to the fall of the World Trade Center and onslaught of Hurricane Iris, seems like years ago. But the events that unfolded that day at the Tower Hill Bridge are nonetheless still reverberating, as the Commission of Inquiry appointed to investigate the incident reconvened today in Belize City. Ann-Marie, who was also on the scene in July, reports.
Ann-Marie Williams, Reporting
The three-man commission called a new witness this morning, Superintendent Paul Wade; head of Special Branch. Wade was called by Commission Chairman Christopher Blackman to say what intelligence he had prior to the July thirtieth Tower Hill Riot.
Wade told the commission he rated the likelihood of a riot, if Tillett’s bus permit was not renewed, as five out of five. He said he informed the Commissioner of Police that the commuters intended to block the bridge at Tower Hill. Justice Blackman asked Wade if when he looked back in hindsight, the events of July thirtieth took him by surprise.
Wade said, “Not, surprise. However, it’s difficult to analyse people’s intentions.”
The second witness was Transport Commissioner Glen Arthurs. He brought in legal counsel Derek Courtenay, just in case he needed some advice. However, it turned out he had not three men to answer, but four since he was also subject to questions and clarifications from Courtenay.
He was first asked by his lawyer to explain how he went about informing Amelio Tillett of Tillett’s Bus Service why he didn’t renew all the bus line’s permits.
Transport Commissioner Arthurs told the commission this morning that Amelio Tillett came to see him in Belmopan on June eighteenth, to renew ten permits; eight for short runs and two for long runs. Arthurs said he told Mr. Tillett that he would only renew the eight for short runs.
His attorney, Derek Courtenay asked him, “Mr. Arthurs, why do you operate the system this way? Why don’t you just allow the people to pay and operate?”
Arthurs said, “For safety sir.
Commission Chairman Justice Christopher Blackman said, “Mr. Arthurs, who do you feel like you have to micro manage the system? Let the market forces dictate.”
Arthurs for his part said, “Sir, you wouldn’t believe. They race on the road a lot of times and there are plenty standees in the busses, sometimes twenty to forty more than the busses are licensed for.”
Father Lazarus Augustine told Arthurs that if Tillett had so many tickets issued for violations, then it is his duty to document the infractions prior to revoking a permit.
Sherman Zuniga also rose in support of documentation as a sure-fire way to improve the system. Blackman also gave Arthurs a chance to put in writing recommendations to improve the transport system. Ann-Marie Williams for News 5.
Today’s transcriptions will be reviewed to see if other witnesses need to be called before the hearings close.
