Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan has assured that government is not withholding information on the oil spill in Tobago.
In a release on Thursday, he said, “As Minister of Works and Transport, I wish to categorically debunk the statement that information has been withheld from the Tobago House of Assembly and by extension, the Chief Secretary. Certainly, the magnitude of this incident requires a united approach to ensure that this situation is well-managed in the best interest of the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.”
Sinanan took offence with an article on Thursday in the T&T Guardian titled “Farley accuses Govt of hiding info on oil spill.”
He said, “This article is categorically inaccurate and unnecessarily inflammatory. As Minister of Works and Transport, I commensurate with the frustration experienced by the Chief Secretary in holding the rightful perpetrators accountable for what is indeed an environmental and economic challenge for Trinidad and Tobago.”
He said his ministry along with other arms of the Central Government, has been working closely with the Tobago House of Assembly to address this situation.
Sinanan said, “In a matter of this nature, there must be full verification of information before making unwarranted statements”
He said statements made by Augustine regarding a WhatsApp message he received “and subsequent conclusions do not allow for the conducting of an investigation free from bias and innuendo.”
He described the facts as follows:
An oil spill was reported off the coast of Tobago on February 07, 2024;
The Administration immediately reached out through its various arms to the THA to offer assistance;
As Minister of Works and Transport, I, in conjunction with the Minister of Energy visited Tobago on February 09, 2024, to hold discussions with the Chief Secretary; and
I further visited Tobago on February 11 and 14, 2024 to ensure that all necessary assistancewas being provided. Additionally, I, along with other Ministers, have been in daily contact with the Chief Secretary.