PRIME MINISTER, GOVERNMENT REMAIN IN STATE OF INERTIA ON THESE ISSUES; GOVERNMENT CRIPPLED BY LACK OF COMPASSION, CARE AND RESPONSIBILITY.
March 28th, 2024.
I note, like the rest of the country, the media release issued by the Prime Minister regarding his meeting yesterday with the family members of those who died in the Paria Tragedy – Rishi Nagassar, Fyzal Kurban, Yusuf Henry, Kazim Ali Jr – the sole survivor Christopher Boodram.
I also note the comments made by the sole survivor Christopher Boodram, who articulated to the media that “nothing of substance” was raised by the Prime Minister in the meeting, which sources indicate was dominated by the Prime Minister and did not facilitate mutual discussion and exchange with the families present.
According to the Prime Minister’s media release, the Prime Minister indicated that the matter was in the hands of the management of Paria Fuel Trading Company Limited and its insurers. He also advised that he requested that the Paria Board resolve the issues “fairly” and as soon as possible.
It is beyond my comprehension that this arrogant, insensitive and heartless Prime Minister expects this country to believe that his Government could not have provided some level of compassionate assistance to families while Paria’s management and their insurers undergo their deliberations.
The state’s infrastructure allows for the speedy distribution of support when persons are faced with an emergency. This support includes food support cards, government housing, grants for school supplies, home repairs and more. In the past, these grants have been provided for varying periods, irrespective of whom or what caused the circumstances in the emergency.
It is therefore flabbergasting and angering to me that in the face of this social support system, the Government failed to provide any intervention on the basis of compassion, care or concern, if not culpability.
It is also utterly unfortunate that the release made no mention of any discussions by the Prime Minister regarding whether his Government has begun to or intends to address any of the several recommendations of the Report of the Commission of Enquiry (CoE).
How has the Government begun to address the CoE’s call for accountability from Paria’s management and key personnel involved on the Incident Response Team?
How has the Government begun to address the CoE’s pronouncement that families of the divers were ill-treated by Paria, and not furnished with the information or the compassionate hospitality warranted in such a situation?
How has the Government begin to address the recommendations by the CoE that there must be a proper re-evaluation of the diving industry, and standards and safety protocols set?
While there are several other recommendations which need to be addressed, the Prime Minister and his Government remain in a state of inertia on these issues, crippled by the obvious disdain that Keith Rowley and this elitist PNM administration holds for issues affecting workers and the working class.
A United National Congress Government will ensure that dialogue is commenced regarding reform and improvement of the regulations and processes concerning the diving sector.
A United National Congress Government will ensure that personnel from Paria Fuel Trading Company Limited who have been identified by the CoE report as mishandling the crisis and causing the deaths of these divers and the trauma of the survivor will finally be held accountable.
A United National Congress Government will ensure that the families who have been keeping the names and cause of their loved ones will finally receive the compassionate assistance they need to adjust their lives into the unforeseen “new normal” now facing them, and the challenges which come with it.
A United National Congress Government will review the crisis communications and incident response mechanisms to be used in times of workplace accidents to ensure that saving lives matter more than saving reputations and friends of the political elite, and that families are treated with a sense of compassion, dignity and regard throughout the circumstances.
It is time for the country to move from national pain with Keith Rowley into national progress with Kamla Persad- Bissessar. If the Government has refused to address any of the issues emerging from the Paria Diving Tragedy, then it means that the Government is adding to the problem rather than the solution.
We must get rid of those who have a track record of adding to our national problems and elect those with a proven track record of solving our national problems.
Respectfully submitted,
RUDRANATH INDARSINGH
Member of Parliament for Couva South and SHADOW RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE MINISTRY OF LABOUR and TOBAGO AFFAIRS.
681-2525, rudranath43@gmail.com
