Four men have lost their lives; There must be accountability in this tragedy
By Kamla Persad Bissessar
Feb 28: Like the rest of the nation, I am deeply saddened by the tragic events which unfolded over the weekend involving a diving crew of underwater welders in the waters off Pointe a Pierre.
Today my thoughts and prayers are with the families of Fyzal Kurban, Rishi Nagassar, Yusuf Henry, and Kazim Ali Jr.
It is abundantly clear that serious questions need to be asked with regard to how his tragic incident happened as well as to the response by Paria Fuel Trading Company Limited.
The response to this incident and the behaviour of the management of Paria Fuel Trading Company Limited has been appalling. Given the gravity of this situation as it unfolded, Paria Fuel failed to provide information and care to the families of the divers, and in articulating an urgent and clear emergency rescue strategy. Both are completely unacceptable.
The Prime Minister’s and his Energy Minister’s silence on this matter are deafening. The management of our nation’s energy assets once again needs to be seriously questioned.
The Opposition has repeatedly voiced concerns that dangerous cost-cutting, as well as other questionable acts, were being done at state energy companies in order to inflate profit margins for political purposes.
It is imperative that an independent investigation that is comprehensive and transparent be immediately carried out to determine the facts of this tragic incident.
The families of Fyzal Kurban, Rishi Nagassar, Yusuf Henry, and Kazim Ali Jr, as well as the nation, deserve to know the truth of what happened over these difficult past three days. There must be accountability in this matter.
Kamla Persad-Bissessar, SC, MP
Leader of the Opposition