Four men lost their lives; there must be accountability in this tragedy: Bissessar

The former Prime Minister and Opposition leader of Trinidad and Tobago Kamla Persad Bissessar criticized the Rowley-led administration over the incident that involved a diving crew of underwater welders in the waters off Pointe a Pierre.

While expressing her sadness, the Opposition leader asserted that, like the rest of the nation, she was also deeply devastated by the tragic events which unfolded over the weekend involving a diving crew of underwater welders in the waters off Pointe a Pierre.

She expressed, “Today, my concern and prayers are with the families of Fyzal Kurban, Rishi Nagassar, Yusuf Henry, and Kazim Ali Jr”.

Kamla Persad further raised questions and asked Rowley-led administration that it is abundantly clear that serious questions need to be asked in the wake of how his tragic incident happened as well as to the response by Paria Fuel Trading Company Limited.

She also reiterated,” 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 entirely unacceptable, underscored Kamla Persad.

While bashing the government, the Opposition leader emphasized, “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”.

Kamla Persad Bissessar further cleared her stand and asserted that 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,” outlined Bissessre.

Kamla Persad exclaimed that 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 problematic past three days. There must be accountability in this matter.