Roget says workers being threatened

Claiming there is a “criminal coverup” of the mishap involving four divers at Berth 6 offshore platform at Pointe-a-Pierre, president general of the Oilfield Workers Trade Union Ancel Roget says offshore workers are now being threatened by company officials as an investigation begins into the tragedy.

Speaking at a press conference held at the car park of Paria Fuel Trading Company, Roget revealed that company officials have warned workers not to speak about the incident at Number 36 Sealine riser on Berth No. 6 which led to the divers being sucked into the pipeline.

“They are being told if you want to get pay, if you want your work, then hush your mouth,” Roget revealed. He added, “We are convinced there is a coverup. Why then would you want to keep out the union out of the investigations? We are familiar with the protocols and what should have been in place to prevent something like this from happening,” Roget said.

Energy Minister Stuart Young confirmed at a press conference on Monday that the OWTU was not part of the independent five-person committee of energy-sector experts who were tasked with probing the weekend’s tragic incident.

Roget also questioned why Paria Fuel Trading Limited chairman Newman George, general manager Mushtaq Mohammed and Terminal Manager Collin Piper were still on the job while investigations are taking place.

Sayin they had the power to influence any ongoing investigation, Roget said international standards and protocols would dictate that they be removed before any investigation could take place. “To leave them there would give the impression that any investigation done will be flawed and biased,” Roget added.

He also urged the families not to allow the company to buy them out.
“Stick together, they will try to divide you and offer you, sweeteners. Be very wary of that. These people are demons in human form,” he charged.
Roget also said that the OWTU had already contacted its lawyers to offer support to the families.

“We believe these people should be taken to task. We want the Police Commissioner to do an investigation. We want to know at what point did this turn from a rescue mission to a recovery mission,” Roget added.

“I am calling on the TTPS to deploy your resources not to beat or arrest grieving families but to find out whether a crime has been committed at that platform,” he added.
He noted, “In our respectful view we believe this is a crime of neglect. A crime of not putting rescue operations in place.”

Asked whether he had information that the pipeline was expected to be flushed to extract the bodies, Roget said he had no such information. He said ten minutes before his press conference, there was no active work being done on the pipeline. He said a tarpaulin had been placed but he was unsure as to the purpose of the tarpaulin.

“Maybe it is to shade or prevent any sightings or observance from an aerial view. We do not know why they will do that. Whatever they do now is associated with a cover-up,” Roget said.

He noted that the developments were unlike anything that has happened in T&T’s history.
Roget noted that when deep sea diver Ronald Ramoutar left Port of Spain and went to the scene and successfully rescued underwater welder Christopher Boodram against Paria’s advice, officials were informed that the other divers were alive. However, rather than engage in a rescue mission, a decision was taken to seal the pipeline and the rescue mission was aborted.

Reporter: Rhadica De Silva

CNC3 Editor
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CNC3 Editor

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