While investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the February 6 death of a Venezuelan migrant child within T&T’s territorial waters, it’s not possible currently to predict the timeframe within which the probe will be completed.
National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds confirmed this in the Senate on Wednesday, in reply to UNC Senator Wade Mark’s query on when the investigation will be completed.
On February 6, the T&T Coast Guard claimed officers fired warning shots at an illegal Venezuelan vessel in T&T waters and a Venezuelan woman, Darielvis Sarabia, was wounded. Her nine-month-old son Yaelvis Sarabia, who was in her arms, was killed.
Hinds noted that investigations by both the T&T Police Service and the Defence Force are ongoing into the unfortunate death of the child.
While he couldn’t give a completion date at this time, Hinds, assured, “They will be completed as soon as possible.”
On other queries, Works Minister Rohan Sinanan said the elevator on the Buccoo Reef ferry stopped working on Monday, Nidco was informed of it on the ferry’s return to Trinidad and it was repaired and functional by Tuesday.
He said Nidco has the elevator serviced by an external company monthly and an electrical technical officer travels daily with the vessel to identify and correct any technical issue.
For such issues that can’t be corrected during sailing, Sinanan said when the vessel is berthed a land site, repair firm Matrix Shipping Management Ltd is used.
The external company is Shivonn Multi Services Ltd, he added.
Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh also detailed measures by local distributor Hand Arnold to recall Jif Peanut Butter (Chunky and Creamy 16 oz) stocks which were recalled by the manufacturer JM Smucker last Saturday.
These were removed from shelves by Monday.
He said the local company assured it had taken all reasonable and above reasonable steps to recall the stocks and the affected products were not in wide circulation at the time of recall.
