Oilfields Workers Trade Union’s Pointe-a-Pierre branch president Christopher Jackman and First Wave Movement leader Umar Abdullah, have appealed to people to keep the matter involving the death of four divers at a Paria Fuel Trading site alive by hosting candlelight vigils on the 25th day of every month until they get justice for the divers.
“We have seen issues come to the front and after three...four days passed we forget it. This activity for the rights of our brothers should continue until there is justice,” Jackman said during a vigil in Sangre Grande on Sunday night.
Fyzal Kurban, Kazim Ali Jr, Rishi Nagassar and Yusuf Henry died after they were sucked into a 30-inch pipeline on February 25 at Paria Fuel’s Berth Six while doing maintenance work. One diver, Christopher Boodram, survived the tragedy.
Jackman asked the gathering to picture what it was like for the four men, who ended up stuck in a pipeline 40 to 50 feet underwater praying to be rescued.
He argued that while family members stood outside of Paria asking for something to be done to rescue the men, nothing was done.
“They did absolutely nothing to rescue these divers and you see this, I have a fundamental problem with that. They should have been the ones to determine that those fellas don’t need to live anymore. Those who allowed the divers to remain in the pipeline should now ensure that the children and family should be taken care of. This is the justice we want,” Jackman said.
He continued: “We are the ones who make money for the company and they treat our lives like it is not important. It is time we take a stand.”
He asked his Sangre Grande audience to make it their duty that on the 25th of each month, they assemble, light their candles and demand justice for the four divers.
“This will remind them we are waiting, remembering and watching for justice,” he said.
He gave the assurance that the OWTU branch in Pointe-a-Pierre will give them all the support.
Abdullah reminded all that they stand in solidarity with the family of the four divers and told his audience to let those in authority know that “we have not forgotten the way our brothers suffered and died without any help.”
“We should remind all citizens that up till now, no arrest or any serious investigation has taken place,” he added.
“We’re holding a candlelight (vigil) to show them we have not forgotten to indicate to them we will be coming for them to arrest them, to shut them down. We are going to lead and merge to the gates of Paria and we are going to go through those gates and going to handcuff those who are responsible for the death of our men. Keep that in your mind. We demand justice,” he said.
Nicole Greenidge, sister of victim Yusuf Henry, thanked all for attending the vigil in honour of her brother and made a public appeal for more people to join in the call for justice for Kurban, Ali Jr, Nagassar and Henry.
A Commission of Enquiry has been commissioned to determine the reasons for the tragedy.