By Sue-Ann Wayow
THE family members of the four divers who are yet to be found should be given the opportunity to recommend someone of their choice to be on the independent investigative team.
This is the request being made by Member of Parliament for Pointe-a-Pierre David Lee.
Lee at a press conference at the Opposition’s head office in Port-of-Spain said he welcomed the idea of the team that was announced by Energy Minister Stuart Young on Monday but the calibre of expertise should be revised.
Young, had held a press conference earlier and announced that a five-member team will embark on an investigation as to what exactly happened at Berth 6 in the Gulf of Paria that led to the disappearance of Fyzal Kurban, Rishi Nagassar, Yusuf Henry, and Kazim Ali Jr. Christopher Boodram who was also with the men was the only one rescued.
Young said that the team will be headed by a permanent secretary in the Ministry of Energy, should have an expert from bpTT and Shell, an experienced professional underwater diver and a lawyer.
Lee is suggesting that instead, a representative chosen by the family, an Occupational Health and Safety (OSHA) expert as well as an international expert.
He said, “The Opposition feels that the family should have a say of having an individual, a pick on that independent committee to investigate this tragedy. The Opposition agrees that to add some clear independence and transparency that the families of these divers should be able to have someone on that investigate team to ensure that transparency and accountability to ensure that proper information is given not only to the families but to the country at large.”
“I don’t think the panel should have a lawyer at this point in time,” he added.
Lee urged the Government to reveal the truth as to what exactly occurred on the berth, especially during the hours of 2 pm and 12 midnight on Friday when the men still would have had a chance of survival.
He questioned whatever became of the rescue plan that should have been put in place in the event an adverse situation occurred and why certain measures were not implemented.
Lee also called on the immediate resignation of all the board members of Paria Fuel Trading Company including the head of the company’s communications department.
Reading from the press release that Paria Fuel had issued on Sunday, some information was contradictory to what even the minister said.
The company had stated the men fell into the pipeline while Young stated they were sucked into the pipeline and he agreed with Young that there were gaps in the communication process.
Referring to Young, Lee said he knew he was a man of integrity and expected that the entire truth would be revealed.
He said, “Putting aside the politics, I know Minister Young is about accountability and transparency in the matter.”
The Opposition has given its support to the family members who have been camping outside of Paria Fuel in Pointe-a-Pierre since Friday evening hoping for answers.
