Tiah withdraws from team probing Paria diving accident

Eugene Tiah has withdrawn from the Investigating Committee charged with determining what led to the recent, tragic deaths of four divers employed with LMCS, who were working on an underwater pipeline belonging to Paria Fuel Trading Company.

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SHARLENE RAMPERSAD

Eugene Tiah, the Energy Chamber’s recommended representative on the Investigative Committee into the tragic Paria incident where four divers lost their lives on February 25, has withdrawn from the Committee.

In a personal statement issued shortly before noon on Tuesday, Tiah said he joins with the nation in extending condolences to the families of Kazim Ali Junior, Fyzal Kurban, Yusuf Henry and Rishi Nagassar.

“I was asked by the Energy Chamber to be their representative on the Investigation Committee to commit 45 days gratis, and to bring to bear my 40 years of technical and managerial experience in the energy industry with particular interest in safety and process safety leadership, which I agreed to do,” Tiah wrote.

He said he believes no time should be lost in determining the facts that led to this tragedy.

“Recommendations arising from the Incident Investigation need to be swiftly implemented and lessons learned shared throughout the industry.”

Tiah also addressed challenges from Opposition leader, Kamla Persad-Bissessar for his appointment to the Committee.

Persad-Bissessar had described his nomination as “scandalous” based on his previous lawyer/client relationship with Energy Minister Stuart Young in 2014.

“It appears that the good of country is subservient to the shenanigans of a few. I have thus taken the decision to withdraw from the Investigating Committee. I wish the Committee Members Godspeed with this onerous and supremely important task,” Tiah wrote.

The following is the full text of the Personal Statement issued by Mr Tiah concerning the Paria Incident…

I wish to join with the nation in extending sincerest condolences to the grieving family members of Kazim Ali (Jr.), Fyzul Kurban, Yusuf Henry and Rishi Nagassar.

I was asked by the Energy Chamber to be their representative on the Investigation Committee to commit 45 days gratis, and to bring to bear my 40 years of technical and managerial experience in the energy industry with particular interest in safety and process safety leadership, which I agreed to do.

I believe that no time should be lost in ascertaining the facts that led to this tragedy. Recommendations arising from the Incident Investigation need to be swiftly implemented and lessons learned shared throughout the industry.

It appears that the good of country is subservient to the shenanigans of a few. I have thus taken the decision to withdraw from the Investigating Committee.

I wish the Committee Members Godspeed with this onerous and supremely important task.