Minister of Energy and Energy Industries Stuart Young said contrary to claims made by the Opposition at its media conference yesterday, the Government has been pursuing the hard facts concerning ownership of the offending two vessels involved in the oil spill in Tobago, as well as to whom the cargo of bunker fuel was destined or consigned.
He said the Government has to ensure accuracy and seek documented verification as it investigates.
Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal accused the Government yesterday of being clueless in pursuing and sharing the facts about the oil spill. He claimed the public had to depend on the newspapers, specifically the Sunday Guardian, to have critical questions about the incident answered
However, Young said: “The Government has been pursuing, via the Ministry of Foreign and Caricom Affairs, official communications with various countries whose preliminary information suggests they may have the necessary information related to this tragedy. This is also being overseen by the Maritime Division, Ministry of Works and Transport. The process of official verification and confirmation is ongoing. The Government has to ensure accuracy and documented verification.”
“In the meantime, as can be seen, the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries is focused on providing the necessary expertise to arrest the fuel leaking, its removal from the vessel, maritime containment and eventual salvage of the vessel.
“It is to be noted once again, that Trinidad and Tobago is not responsible for this incident, as the vessel or vessels were in no way whatsoever associated with Trinidad and Tobago.”
Young added that the UNC’s “weekly rant” lacked substance and was an attempt to seek relevance and distract from internal party issues.