By Sue-Ann Wayow
THE five-member committee to investigate the tragic deaths of the four underwater divers is no more.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley instead said a Commission of Inquiry will be tasked with the investigation.
Speaking during the Conversations with the Prime Minister segment, Dr Rowley said he instructed Minister of Energy Stuart Young to cancel the committee after the resignation of member Eugene Tiah. The Prime Minister said instead, he will be calling for a three-member Commission of Enquiry.
Dr Rowley said, “I have today instructed the Minister of Energy, on behalf of the Cabinet, to cancel the arrangement that was made public and therefore there would be no five-man committee of the experts that were made public… Because even before they had done the job, the population had been so riled up into not accepting any work that they have done, that it is a waste of time now,” he said.
Dr Rowley continued, “We have to cancel that and we are going to have a Commission of Enquiry because apparently, that is what would satisfy.”
He added the foreign experts said they were also no longer needed for the investigation into what happened that led to the deaths of divers Yusuf Henry, Kazim Ali Jr, Fyzal Kurban and Rishi Nagassar on February 25.
However, the government would still seek international expertise.
Opposition UNC to blame
Dr Rowley blamed the Opposition for attacking Tiah’s selection citing it as the reason behind the collapse of the committee.
“Where are we going to find people to serve on this committee? Who in this country, in the energy sector, are we going to find? An energy sector that is owned by the government and has been consistently under government control. Where you going to find them?” he asked.
He said according to the UNC, with a Commission of Enquiry, people can be “called and summoned and cross-examine.”
Dr Rowley said, “As a result of the behaviour of the Opposition, slandering people, attacking people, the Energy Chamber has lost its person, Mr Tiah has pulled out, the international companies have said, well, I don’t think they need our help and of course, I have come to the conclusion that nothing that the Government does in appointing any committee unless we appoint Gopeesingh, Ramdeen, Kamla Persad-Bissessar and whoever else, nothing that the Government does will satisfy the population that it has been properly done and the findings have been a fair and accurate assessment of the situation.”
Last Thursday, Young announced that Tiah would be part of the committee to investigate the deaths of the divers while they were working on Berth 6 at the Paria Fuel facility in Pointe-a-Pierre on February 25.
Energy expert Gregory Wilson, Eugene Tiah and attorney Shiv Sharma were named.
Since his appointment was announced, Tiah had faced immense criticism from the Opposition who claimed he was politically aligned to the Government.
Young had also criticised the Opposition for the statements made saying it was harmful to the country’s interest and development.
Once again it’s a blame game with the PNM. “Look miss.. Kamla pull meh hair” Are these people in primary school? Are these so called leaders for real??? Do these people have an ounce of compassion? Neither of them are assisting by doing this nonsense. They are only delaying the The main purpose of the investigation which is to find out what exactly took place on that day to cause four men to lose their lives in the most horrible way. These people are Leaders who can’t lead. Get out of office please.