radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
Lead counsel in the Commission of Enquiry (CoE) into the Paria Fuel diving tragedy, Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj, says a procedural hearing will be held in August and soon members of the public will be allowed the opportunity to send written statements and documents for consideration by the commission.
Responding to questions about the procedures of the commission, Maharaj provided a brief update of the steps involved.
“The Secretariat will be at the Southern Academy of Performing Arts and staff of the secretariat is in the process of being assigned,” he said.
He noted that the procedural rules to govern the commission have been drafted and are being considered by the commission.
“These would thereafter be made public,” he said.
Maharaj also said steps have been taken to secure a venue at which the procedural hearing of the commission will be held.
“It is aimed to have that procedural hearing in August 2022,” he revealed.
Maharaj also said the website and commission’s email addresses were in the process of being set up.
“Notices would be published soon for persons who are interested in giving evidence before the commission to send written statements and documents to the Secretariat for the consideration of the commission,” Maharaj added.
In early March, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley revealed that a CoE would be held into the death of four divers—Fyzal Kurban, Kazim Ali Junior, Rishi Nagassar and Yusuf Henry—, who perished inside a 30-inch diameter pipeline at a paria offshore faclity in Pointe-a-Pierre on February 25.
A previously appointed five-member panel that Dr Rowley set up was shelved following criticisms from the Opposition, which led to the withdrawal of one of its members, Eugene Tiah.
