Imbert Announces Arrest of Oil-Spill Tugboat in Angola

Trinidad and Tobago’s Finance Minister Colm Imbert announced the arrest of the tugboat Solo Creed in Angola following an oil spill incident in Tobago. The spill contaminated coastlines and necessitated a $50 million cleanup effort. The Senate approved the 2024-2025 budget, showcasing substantial financial allocations for Tobago. Imbert criticized opposition tactics during the debates and emphasized the government’s focus on tourism development in Tobago while considering wage adjustments to protect jobs.

In a recent Senate budget debate, Trinidad and Tobago’s Finance Minister Colm Imbert announced the arrest of the tugboat Solo Creed in Angola. This tugboat was involved in an incident on February 7, when it was towing the barge Gulfstream, which capsized near a reef off Tobago, leading to a major oil spill that contaminated parts of Tobago’s coastline and reached neighboring islands Grenada and Bonaire. The oil spill resulted in the release of 51,000 barrels of oil and prompted the government to contribute $50 million towards the clean-up effort, part of a larger $134 million needed by the Tobago House of Assembly (THA). During his address, Imbert emphasized the government’s efforts to address the situation, stating, “On Friday last, through the Attorney General’s Office, TT arrested the tug, the Solo Creed, in Angola, which was the abandoned barge off Tobago that caused so much damage in Tobago. That is performance! PNM style. We tracked down that barge and we arrested it!” An arrest in maritime contexts serves to prevent a vessel from leaving jurisdictions while legal claims are settled. The Minister characterized this development as a key achievement, complementing his remarks concerning Tobago’s budget allocation. He highlighted the specific allocation of $3.2 billion for Tobago’s approximately 63,000 residents, which translates to a per capita expenditure significantly exceeding those of nearby nations, like Grenada and St. Lucia. Furthermore, he defended the need for investment in Tobago’s infrastructure, citing plans for a new airport terminal and the establishment of refuelling facilities at local marinas to enhance tourism. Imbert also expressed his commitment to fiscal responsibility regarding the minimum wage, asserting that overly high wage restrictions could jeopardize job security within the private sector. The Senate successfully passed the 2024-2025 budget on its third day of discussions after its earlier approval by the House of Representatives. Overall, Imbert noted the constitutional violations presented by the opposition’s temporary appointments of additional senators during the budget debates, referring to it as a “complete travesty”.

The tugboat Solo Creed was implicated in a significant environmental disaster when towing the barge Gulfstream, which capsized and leaked an extensive amount of oil, impacting the coastlines of Tobago as well as reaching Grenada and Bonaire. Following the incident, the Trinidad and Tobago government has taken measures to hold accountable those responsible, while also investing significantly in the response to the crisis. These developments are linked to broader economic considerations related to Tobago’s budget allocations and the government’s focus on enhancing tourism infrastructure.

In conclusion, the arrest of the tugboat Solo Creed in Angola signifies a proactive response by the Trinidad and Tobago government to address the consequences of a substantial oil spill. Finance Minister Colm Imbert’s discussion in the Senate not only highlighted fiscal allocations for Tobago but also underscored the importance of infrastructure development for tourism. Furthermore, the implications surrounding minimum wage adjustments hint at a delicate balance between fair compensation and job preservation within the private sector.

Original Source: newsday.co.tt