RADHICA DE SILVA
radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
President General of the Oilfield Workers Trade Union last night led a group of grieving relatives to the front gate of Paris Fuel Trading Company, demanding a meeting with general manager Mushtaq Mohammed.
This occurred after the relatives were barred by the police from viewing the bodies of three of the divers.
As they trekked to the gate which was shut by security, Roget and his entourage was met by a contingent of police and army officers.
An officer at the entrance cautioned the crowd saying, “Step back, COVID protocol.”
But this was met with resistance from the crowd, who shouted, “Well move!”
Roget advised the officers to exercise caution as the relatives were already aggrieved by the gruesome way their loved ones had perished in the sub-sea pipeline at Berth No 6.
“Do not do anything to ignite the passion of people here. We come in peace,” Roget told the officer.
He then advised the police that they were awaiting the arrival of Mohammed, who was expected to address the grieving relatives.
“It's a simple request. We are there waiting,” Roget said.
The officer responded, “We calling for backup.” One man in the crowd lashed back saying, “Backup nothing. Tell Mushtaq to come.”
Earlier, branch president Christopher Jackman said he did not believe Mohammed would address the relatives.
“Tonight relatives were denied the opportunity to view the bodies of the four divers but now we are being told by the police that relatives are not allowed to view the body. The police are telling us that Mushtaq Mohammed will be coming out of the gates to advise what the families need to do with respect to these bodies. We have been waiting here since Friday and nobody had the courtesy to come by the guard booth to give information. They told us to wait and I don’t believe they will come,” Jackman said.
He said it was “grossly unacceptable” to treat the relatives in this way.
