PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley Wednesday met with the households of the divers who died after being sucked right into a 30-inch underwater pipeline whereas they had been doing upkeep work on the state-owned Paria Gas Buying and selling Firm Ltd (Paria) in 2022.
An announcement issued by the Workplace of the Prime Minister following the assembly mentioned Prime Minister Rowley expressed “honest sympathy on behalf of himself and the federal government… for the unimaginable loss being skilled” by the household of Rishi Nagassar, Kazim Ali Jr, Fyzal Kurban, Yusuf Henry and Christopher Boodram on February 25, 2022.
Boodram was in a position to get out of the pipeline, however the others remained trapped inside and died.
Rowley, who was accompanied on the assembly by Vitality and Vitality Industries Associated Minister Stuart Younger and Legal professional Common and Minister of Authorized Affairs Reginald Armour SC, suggested that it was not his want, or that of his authorities, “that the anguish being skilled by the households needs to be enhanced and extended by any protracted dispute over legal responsibility and compensation.”
The assertion mentioned that, accordingly, insofar as he’s permitted to, as Prime Minister, he has requested that the Board of Paria “do all that it will possibly do to deal with these points as rapidly and as fairly as potential.”
Rowley knowledgeable the assembly that Paria is sufficiently insured for incidents reminiscent of that which occurred on that fateful day “and that regardless of the most effective of intentions, Paria, like some other insured, is required to take the recommendation and steerage of its insurers to profit from the protection.”
The assertion famous that the shareholders of Paria, who’re in the end the residents of Trinidad and Tobago, “would, after all, need this matter to be resolved rapidly, however not in a way that might be reckless, and have an effect on insurance coverage protection particularly in place for this goal.
“So, even when Paria had been inclined to take action, it’s merely not potential for a Board to wholly ignore the truth that insurance coverage protection is in place and that one other get together is concerned, particularly the contractor LMCS, and nonetheless proceed to settle the matter.”
Prime Minister Rowley mentioned correspondence had been exchanged between attorneys for 2 of the households and Paria/insurers since February 2023, and correspondence was acquired final month from attorneys for one different household.
Rowley mentioned he has been additional suggested that no figures have as but been exchanged between the events and that Paria and the insurers have lately requested info from the preliminary two households that touches on and issues particulars surrounding LMCS’s employment and earnings.
“This info is essential in arriving at a proposed determine for any discussions regarding the settlement with out prejudice. That info shouldn’t be but forthcoming,” the assertion mentioned.
“The Prime Minister made it clear that Paria has recommendation from its attorneys/insurers on the problem of legal responsibility. However that recommendation, Paria and its insurers are ready to work intently with the contractor/employer LMCS in arriving at a joint proposal regarding a “with out prejudice” settlement of this matter.”
The assertion mentioned, “The result of this matter insofar as any potential settlement is worried is within the palms of the attorneys, insurers, and people who are to simply accept no matter proposal for settlement could also be forthcoming because of discussions.
“The Prime Minister repeated that whereas he can’t intrude on this course of, he has clarified to Paria that he needs it concluded rapidly and pretty. The Prime Minister urged the households to equally advise their attorneys that each try needs to be made to conclude the matter rapidly and pretty, and particularly, the households ought to urge LMCS to collaborate with Paria to reach at a joint with out affordable prejudice proposal,” the assertion mentioned.
In January, Younger confirmed that the 380-page report of the Fee of Enquiry into the Paria diving tragedy had been despatched to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).
“The report went earlier than the Cupboard of Trinidad and Tobago, who took a collective choice to ship it to the DPP for him to take a look at and advise on future motion, if any, that needs to be taken,” Younger informed parliament.
“The doc was despatched to the Workplace of the Director of Public Prosecution for him to evaluation completely, and everyone knows that if he sees match to have interaction the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service or some other investigative arm, he’ll achieve this.”
The report was delivered to President Christine Kangaloo on November 30 final yr, with an enchantment from the Chairman of the Fee of Enquiry, Jerome Lynch KC, for the contents to be made public.
He mentioned the report detailed the COI’s findings and suggestions concerning who was at fault and needs to be held culpable.
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