Finance Minister Colm Imbert announced the arrest of the tugboat Solo Creed in Angola, which was involved in a major oil spill off Tobago in February. The spill caused significant environmental damage, and the government allocated funds for cleanup efforts. Imbert criticized opposition actions during the Senate budget debate and detailed Tobago’s financial allocations while emphasizing plans for enhancing tourism and employment. His statements reflect the government’s commitment to addressing the spill’s consequences and supporting the local economy.
On October 23, during the Senate budget debate, Trinidad and Tobago’s Finance Minister, Colm Imbert, announced the arrest of the tugboat Solo Creed in Angola. This vessel was involved in a significant oil spill incident off the coast of Tobago on February 7, when it was towing the barge Gulfstream, which capsized on a reef, leading to a leak of approximately 51,000 barrels of bunker oil. The spill contaminated parts of Tobago’s coastline and reportedly affected Grenada and Bonaire as well. In response to the disaster, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago allocated $50 million towards cleanup efforts out of a total request of $134 million from the Tobago House of Assembly (THA). Minister Imbert commended the efforts of the Attorney General’s Office for facilitating the tug’s arrest, indicating that this action was essential to securing maritime legal claims and preventing the vessel from eluding penalties. In his remarks, Imbert stated, “That is performance! PNM style. We tracked down that barge and we arrested it!” He expressed his anticipation for presenting his eleventh budget in 2025, hinting at the upcoming general elections. During his address, Imbert also criticized the opposition for what he described as a breach of protocol by introducing additional temporary senators into the debate, referring to their actions as “a complete travesty” and “a violation of the Constitution.” Moreover, Imbert provided details about the financial allocation for Tobago, emphasizing its per capita funding compared to nearby Grenada, St. Lucia, and Barbados. Further, he discussed the government’s plans for establishing proper refueling facilities in Tobago to enhance tourism, as well as initiatives for expanding the island’s hospitality offerings beyond basic accommodations. Regarding the minimum wage, although he acknowledged the concerns raised by constituents who are MTS workers, he cautioned against excessively high wage levels that could jeopardize jobs in the private sector.
This article pertains to recent developments related to an oil spill incident involving the tugboat Solo Creed off the coast of Tobago in February. The focus of the narrative is on the subsequent actions taken by Trinidad and Tobago’s government to address the oil spill and provide financial assistance for clean-up initiatives. The statement made by Finance Minister Colm Imbert within the context of the Senate budget debate indicates the government’s positions on a variety of issues, including the allocation of resources to Tobago, criticisms of opposition actions, and the implications for tourism and employment in the region.
In summary, the arrest of the tugboat Solo Creed is a significant development in the aftermath of the oil spill incident that adversely affected Tobago’s coast. The Trinidad and Tobago government’s commitment to cleaning up the environmental damage and the emphasis on boosting Tobago’s tourism industry reflect its broader economic strategies. Minister Imbert’s remarks in the Senate underline the current administration’s goals and their proactive measures to handle the situation, while also navigating political tensions with the opposition. This incident highlights the intersection of environmental, economic, and political issues within the region.
Original Source: newsday.co.tt
