National Transport say there will be no protest

But how did the company reach insolvency? According to Philip Jones, when the government created a new zoning law, it lost most of its commerce.  But Jones states that the situation is now in the hands of the lawyers and there will be no protest.

Phillip Jones, Former Operations Officer, National Transport

“We had financial challenges in the company. Due to the fact in 2008, the zoning was implemented for the north and the south. We had lost south, we had lost north, we had lost half of the west. The Ladyville runs we had lost. We had some financial challenges and the bank knew this. We had sit down with the bank, the directors had sit down with the bank. They know that we have a court case pending with the Department of Transport in regards to the zoning that we had lost over seventy-five percent of our runs and it had been financially challenging.”

Jose Sanchez

“I understand that in relation to another Novelo related company, there is a challenge of theft and a challenge of kidnapping that supposedly occurred last week.

Phillip Jones

phillip jones

“To be frank with you, I can only speak on behalf of National Transport due to the fact that those situations are in the court’s hand.”

Jose Sanchez

“Two hundred and seventy-five workers, you have many family members. Should we see some sort of protest in the upcoming week?”

Phillip Jones

“Well, we leave it in the hands of the lawyers. The lawyers are dealing with the situation. We are a peaceful company, we stand up for our rights and if you have noticed, whenever we feel violated or treated unfairly, we stand up for our rights and we will do it in a professional and civil manner. We are working with our lawyer, she will advise us and we will work according to the law.”

When the receiver took over the company this morning, other bus companies took over the routes which would have been used by National Transport. Last week assets of another company owned by the Novelo brothers were taken by the bank and the Novelos claimed they were able to repossess the assets. The amount owed by the Novelos is said to be substantive.  There is also a claim that the Novelos are suing employees of the Belize Bank, who acted in the receivership.