Works and Transport Minister, Rohan Sinanan, is accusing the media of printing misinformation concerning the Government’s rental costs for the Trinity Transporter barge and the T&T Provider as compared with the Superfast Galicia they replaced.
Without giving details, Sinanan said the two vessels actually cost about $1 million less per month when the extra cost of the Galicia is added.
The Galicia pulled out from its Tobago service after a contract fallout with the Government. The Galicia left T&T on April 21 after it refused to sign a month to month contract which the Government insisted it do.
Sinanan made disclosure to members of the media during a tour of Port-of Spain constituencies yesterday.
Earlier news reports stated the Government has been renting the Atlantic Provider for US$14,000 a day and the Trinity Transporter at a daily cost of US$8,000, a combined cost of US$22,000 a day. Reports said the daily cost to lease the Galicia was US$20,000.
Sinanan was asked to respond to claims by chairman of the Inter-Island Transport Committee of the Tobago Chamber, Diane Hadad, that since the rental of the two replacement vessels, there has been a 20 to 25 per cent decline in the amount of goods going to Tobago.
Hadad described the situation as a crisis for the people of Tobago and said the problems will become obvious this week. But Sinanan said the Government is well aware the vessels are not suitable to service the needs of Tobago and said they are asking Tobagonians to bear with them until they find a proper boat.
“We clearly recognise the barge and the Atlantic Provider are not the most suitable vessels.
“But because of the situation we are in we have to use what is available and, at the shortest possible time, replace them with much more suitable vessels.
“So that’s why we are asking the stakeholders in Tobago to just bear with us.”
He said the Port Authority’s new board plans to meet with the Tobago Chamber to iron out problems.
“We have a new board in place and members will be meeting with the Tobago Chamber to iron out whatever problems they may have.
“I just want to add, this is a temporary solution.”
Sinanan recalled the chain of events that led the Government to rent the two vessels.
“Remember the vessel was pulled from the use of the port, it was not that the port sent back the vessel.
“Once that happened, the port had to immediately look at the options because we do have a responsibility to ensure the cargo service between Trinidad and Tobago continues.
“We started off using the fast vessels, the Coast Guard vessels and the barge.
“We are at the point where we don’t have to use the fast vessels and Coast Guard but the barge option remains.”
Sinanan said the Government is trying to get the matter resolved in a three-month period.
“This is why we rented these vessels in the interim for one month with permission to renew the leases for up to three months.
“We still feel confident we should be able to improve the service significantly within the three-month period,” he said.
