PM Welcomes Petroleum Dealers’ Return to Normal Working Hours |
Contact: Prime Minister's Press Secretary Tuesday, October 18, 2005 - Prime Minister Dr Kenny D. Anthony has welcomed the decision by local petroleum dealers to call off their decision to effect early closures and return to normal working hours. The Petroleum Dealers announced over the weekend that they had taken the decision after they met last Thursday to review its effectiveness. They also said they took the decision after being assured by the Prime Minister that the Government would soon bring into force the Evidence Bill, which will allow Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) images to be admissible in court. The Prime Minister said: “I am very pleased by the decision. While all of us must be concerned about crime and we must remain vigilant, it is also vital that we don’t engage in acts that appear to give in to criminal acts or criminal behaviour. We all must fight the criminals, every step of the way.” Dr Anthony said since meeting with the Petroleum Dealers as an association, he has also met separately with the local representatives of Texaco West Indies Limited and asked them to carry out an audit of the security at gas stations. He said Texaco had “responded positively, indicating that they had commissioned a security firm to undertake that task.” The Prime Minister said he would also make a similar request to the agents for Shell, Simpson Oil Limited (SOL). In addition, the Prime Minister pointed out, the police have carried out an assessment to determine how many gas stations around the country have surveillance cameras and other adequate security arrangements in place. This information, he added, will be made available to the petroleum dealers to better inform and guide them in their present and future security arrangements. The Prime Minister also indicated he had directed the Attorney General to
take the necessary steps to bring the new Evidence Act into force to allow for
the admissibility of video images into court as evidence. |
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