Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon. Colm Imbert, Minister of National Security and Acting Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs, the Hon. Edmund Dillon and Minister of Works and Transport, Senator the Hon. Rohan Sinanan addressed the Post-Cabinet media briefing today (Thursday 19th April, 2018).
Minister Sinanan indicated that the loss of the hydraulic pump of the T&T Spirit this morning, while it did result in delayed berthing, was readily resolved by the on-board crew as the required part to facilitate repairs was available on the vessel.
Minister Dillon also provided clarification on the efforts made by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago to ensure the safe return of our nationals, currently in the care of a relative in Venezuela, after being arrested by the Guardia Nacional. Despite arrangements made at the level of foreign affairs as well as the T&T Defence Force, the men cancelled arrangements with the T&T Coast Guard opting to return home with the assistance of their relative. At present, the three men are free to depart from Venezuela when they choose to so do and the GORTT, via the T&T Coast Guard, stands ready to facilitate their return home.
The Minister of National Security also addressed the repatriation of illegal Venezuelan immigrants. Following discussions with the Venezuelan Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago, Coromoto Godoy Calderon, the GORTT has offered the assistance of the T&T Coast Guard in the return of the Venezuelan nationals.
Moreover, Minister Imbert noted that Prime Minister Dr. Rowley did not attend the meeting with PM Theresa May to discuss the present issue facing the "Windrush" generation as 1) the meeting, which was not a part of the official CHOGM 2018 agenda, was communicated with short notice and 2) the Prime Minister had already committed to meetings with Shell and BP, meetings which are very important to T&T's future as we seek to decrease the billions of dollars in revenue lost annually in the energy sector. Minster Imbert emphasised that Trinidad and Tobago was ably represented by the Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs as well as the High Commissioner to the UK.
Additionally, Minister Imbert explained that the Galleons Passage, which is in "perfect condition", is 10 days behind schedule due to delays as a result of unforeseen inspections and inclement weather coming out of Hawaii.