By Sue-Ann Wayow
MINISTER of National Security Fitzgerald Hinds needs to launch an immediate investigation into the attack of two fishermen on Sunday night.
Member of Parliament for Couva North Ravi Ratiram in a press release on Wednesday made reference to an article exclusively reported by AZP News in which two brothers Clinton and Dennis Lochan swam four hours just to save their lives while fishing in the Gulf of Paria.
He described the report as “a horrific tale.”
Ratiram stated, “Minister Hinds needs to immediately launch an investigation into the events as reported, with a view to seeking answers as to why the TTCG was unable to render assistance to the fishermen.
He said the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard (TTCG) needed to be “properly resourced”, so that it could deal with attacks on fishermen at sea.
He quoted the article, that reported the brother’s struggle to get the assistance of the TTCG.
Ratiram said, “The lives of our fisherfolk hang delicately in the balance because of the level of risk that they continually face, especially at sea. The proper resourcing of the respective National Security Divisions such as the T&T Coast Guard and the TTPS Coastal and Riverine Unit have a critical role to play in the safety and well-being of our fishermen.”
He added that the fishermen deserve better treatment.
“If ensuring that these basic rights and entitlements of security and safety cannot be afforded to our T&T fisherfolk then Minister Hinds must step down and give way to someone of (hopefully) greater competence who can,” Ratiram said.
