Finance Minister Colm Imbert announced the arrest of the tugboat Solo Creed in Angola during a Senate budget debate, following its involvement in a significant oil spill off Tobago, which caused environmental damage and prompted a government clean-up response of $50 million. Imbert also discussed the budget allocations for Tobago, political issues surrounding the Senate debate, and the implications for employment concerning minimum wage adjustments.
During a Senate budget debate on October 23, Trinidad and Tobago’s Finance Minister, Colm Imbert, announced that the tugboat Solo Creed had been apprehended in Angola. This action followed the tug’s involvement in a substantial oil spill near Tobago earlier in February, where it was towing the barge Gulfstream that sank and leaked approximately 51,000 barrels of oil, causing environmental damage to the coast of Tobago as well as reaching Grenada and Bonaire. The Trinidad and Tobago government allocated $50 million towards a projected clean-up cost of $134 million as requested by the Tobago House of Assembly. Minister Imbert asserted, “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!” He emphasized the importance of this arrest, which serves to restrict the tugboat per maritime law, thereby ensuring compliance with legal claims and preventing any evasion of penalties. In his remarks, Imbert indicated his anticipation of presenting his eleventh budget in 2025, hinting at the upcoming general election. He also expressed discontent with the Opposition for adding two additional senators to the debate, calling it a troubling trend, and emphasized that he would not recognize the contributions of these temporary senators. Discussions surrounding budget allocations revealed that the Trinidad and Tobago government plans to invest $3.2 billion for the development of Tobago, benefiting its population of approximately 63,000, which averages to $50,079 per person. This figure surpasses per capita government spending in Grenada, St. Lucia, and Barbados. Imbert defended the decision to improve Tobago’s airport facilities by drawing comparisons to successful international hubs, asserting the need for significant infrastructural enhancements as the government aims to bolster the tourism sector. Moreover, he advocated for establishing proper refueling facilities at a marina in Tobago to support tourism growth. On the topic of minimum wage, Imbert acknowledged the concerns raised by constituents regarding the MTS workers while cautioning against excessive wage increases that could jeopardize employment within private enterprises.
The article explores recent developments in Trinidad and Tobago concerning an environmental crisis triggered by an oil spill due to the malfunction of a tugboat and its barge. The tugboat, Solo Creed, played a significant role in the incident, which led to a major oil contamination along the shores of Tobago and surrounding regions. The government response included substantial financial commitments for remediation efforts. The narrative unfolds within the context of a Senate budget debate, where issues of fiscal allocation, governmental priorities for Tobago, and political dynamics within the Senate are also highlighted. This particular budget debate also implies strategic movements ahead of an impending general election.
In summary, Finance Minister Colm Imbert’s statements during the Senate budget debate underscored significant governmental actions related to environmental accountability, fiscal allocations for Tobago, and ongoing political interactions within the Senate. The arrest of the tugboat Solo Creed marks a decisive step in addressing the consequences of the oil spill while also signaling the government’s commitment to infrastructure development in Tobago. As Trinidad and Tobago prepares for its next election, these discussions highlight both the fiscal responsibilities of the government and the political negotiations occurring within the Senate.
Original Source: newsday.co.tt
