THE National Transport Authority, the regulatory body of public transportation in the island, has distanced itself from the pending criminal case against acting president of the National Association of Taxi Operators (NATO), Egeton Newman.

Newman was on Monday arrested and charged with carnal abuse and harbouring a child after allegedly sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl.

After news of the incident broke early yesterday, manager of Communications and Customer Services at the authority, Petra Kene Williams, told the Observer that the government agency was seeking ways to properly address the situation, but said that if Newman is convicted, he will not be able to continue serving in his present capacity.

He is to appear in court tomorrow.

As she relayed the organisation’s official position on the matter, Williams sought to assure the public that public transportation is safe.

“The Transport Authority is resolute that the interest of the commuting public, especially that of minors, be fully protected,” she said, explaining that this was one of the reasons persons applying to operate route taxis are made to undergo such stringent measures.

She said, too, that a meeting of all the presidents of taxi associations across the island, of which there are 47, will be convened to evaluate the situation, assess its impact on the sector and devise strategies for addressing it.

Reports are that after leaving the NATO premises last Thursday, the girl returned when she realised her taxi fare was missing. Upon returning, she told the police that Newman convinced her to stay for the night and that he forced himself upon her while she was sleeping.

The association’s spokesperson, Arthur Green, told the Observer in a telephone interview that following an emergency meeting of the board of directors, Newman was “granted permission to take a leave of absence” until the criminal proceedings are concluded.

“If he comes out smelling like roses, then we’ll have no problem embracing him,” Green said.