Paria: We need info to compensate divers’ families

THE Paria Fuel Trading Company Ltd said in a statement on July 29 it was continuing its efforts to compensate families of the victims of the Paria diving tragedy of February 2022.

But the company alleged a lack of co-operation by the project subcontractor LMCS and attorneys for the victims’ families and for survivor Christopher Boodram.

Four LMCS divers died after being sucked into an undersea pipeline they were repairing that was owned by Paria at Pointe-a-Pierre. Paria prevented impromptu rescue efforts on the ground that this would put more lives at risk.

Kazim Ali Jnr, 36; Fyzal Kurban, 57; Yusuf Henry, 31; and Rishi Nagassar, 48, perished in the pipe line. Boodram, 38, managed to crawl out.

Commission of Enquiry chairman Jerome Lynch criticised Paria for not giving any no-fault compassionate payments to victims’ dependants and Boodram. Newsday contacted attorney Prakash Ramadhar, who represented the families of Henry and Kurban at the inquiry. He said he would address the matter at a media conference at 11 am on July 30 at his office at Lord Street, San Fernando.

In a statement in May, Paria said it was aware of the families’ “pain, grief and financial hardship” and was exploring all available options to help.

However, when two managers were criminally charged in a San Fernando magistrate court under the Occupational Safety and Health Act on July 12, Boodram told Newsday the families had received no help from Paria, despite the commission’s urging a no-fault compassionate payment. He said his attorneys were seeking to take Paria and LMCS to court.

Payment can otherwise be sought under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, which sets compensation at $100,000 or three years’ salary, whichever is greater.

Ramadhar had told Newsday he had proposed to Paria an ex-gratia payment of $5 million for the lives of each dependant. He had said Paria had not responded positively to his proposal, but he had submitted it again to the attorneys and was awaiting a response.

Paria, in its latest comment, said it was making efforts to advance the process and to “process the claims” for compensation.

“Unfortunately, these efforts are being frustrated by lack of information from LMCS and the legal representatives of the affected families. In this regard, Paria’s attorneys continues to exchange correspondence with those who have presented claims for compensation.

“However, this process requires a considered and balanced approach, taking into account all relevant stakeholders, including LMCS, the employer of the impacted divers, the terms of their employment and other key information.”

Paria said any deviation from the process would not assist any interested parties, but could delay a resolution.

“Consequently, Paria encourages LMCS and the affected families to respond to the correspondence issued by Paria and its agents in a constructive manner in order that all claims for compensation can be properly and expeditiously addressed.

“Paria assures those affected and the population that it remains committed to finding a way forward as swiftly and as fairly as possible.”

Newsday was unable to contact Paria chairman Newman George or company attorney Gilbert Peterson to ask what help Paria was offering and what details it sought.

LMCS attorney Kamini Persaud-Maraj promised Newsday to have a colleague examine the statement with a view to replying to it.