Colm Imbert Addresses Arrest of Oil-Spill Boat During Senate Budget Debate
Minister Colm Imbert disclosed the arrest of the tugboat Solo Creed in Angola following an oil spill off Tobago, which led to a government investment of $50 million for cleanup. He defended Tobago’s financial allocations compared to other Caribbean nations and expressed the need for significant infrastructure developments to bolster tourism. Imbert also criticized the Opposition for circumventing Senate norms during budget discussions and voiced concerns regarding the potential implications of a high minimum wage on employment.
In his address during the Senate budget debate on October 23, Finance Minister Colm Imbert announced that the tugboat named Solo Creed had been detained in Angola. This event followed the Senate’s passage of the 2024-2025 fiscal budget after a series of discussions that had initially commenced in the House of Representatives. The tugboat had been involved in a significant environmental incident on February 7, when it was towing the barge Gulfstream, which capsized on a reef near Cove in Tobago, leading to a substantial oil spill that affected parts of Tobago’s coastline and even reached Grenada and Bonaire. The incident resulted in the release of 51,000 barrels of bunker oil and prompted the Government to allocate $50 million towards a clean-up effort, from an initial request of $134 million by the Tobago House of Assembly (THA). In his remarks, Minister Imbert declared, “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!” This arrest denotes a legal measure to secure maritime claims and prevent the vessel from evading repercussions. As a reminder of the upcoming general election, slated for next year, Imbert expressed anticipation regarding the presentation of his eleventh budget in 2025. Furthermore, he used the opportunity to critique the Opposition for its inclusion of additional temporary senators during the debate process, labeling such actions as “a complete travesty” and a breach of constitutional protocol. Regarding financial allocations to Tobago, Imbert highlighted that the funding directed to the Tobago House of Assembly amounted to $3.2 billion for a population of 63,000, translating to a per capita expenditure that surpasses allocations made to other Caribbean nations, including Grenada, St. Lucia, and Barbados. He justified the necessity for enhancing Tobago’s infrastructure by referencing successful developments in cities like Panama City and Singapore, advocating for a holistic development approach rather than small-scale initiatives. Imbert also emphasized the pressing need to establish adequate refuelling facilities at Tobago’s marinas to stimulate tourism. In addition, he addressed concerns surrounding the minimum wage, mentioning his emotional connection to constituents, particularly MTS workers, while also cautioning that excessively high wage levels in the private sector could lead to potential job losses.
The article discusses a recent environmental incident involving the tugboat Solo Creed, which resulted in significant oil spills affecting Tobago and surrounding regions. It highlights the government’s actions to hold responsible parties accountable through legal measures in Angola while contextualizing the financial allocations for Tobago and addressing criticisms regarding the opposition’s conduct during budget discussions. Imbert’s comments reflect broader themes of responsible governance, regional investment strategies, and fiscal responsibilities in light of environmental challenges.
In summary, Minister Colm Imbert’s speech articulates the government’s decisive actions against environmental negligence, specifically regarding the oil spill incident associated with the tugboat Solo Creed. He further underscores the administration’s commitment to significant financial investments in Tobago’s future, particularly in tourism-related infrastructure. Moreover, Imbert’s critique of the Opposition reveals the contentious dynamics within the Senate as the government prepares for the next general election, all while balancing economic considerations, such as minimum wage discussions, to safeguard employment in the private sector.
Original Source: newsday.co.tt
