Imbert clarifies on oil spill compensation claims

Finance Minister Colm Imbert has clarified reports on budget allocations for Tobago after comments made during a presentation of the Standing Finance Committee on Wednesday that the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) is responsible for handling compensation claims from the February 7, 2024 oil spill disaster.

In an update today, Imbert said:

“Regarding claims made by fishermen in Tobago for compensation for losses arising from the February 2024 oil spill in Tobago, the Minister of Finance made it clear in yesterday’s Committee meeting that when he met with the THA team prior to the delivery of the 2025 Budget, in September 2024, to discuss the THA’s 2025 budgetary allocation, he specifically requested the THA to submit the necessary documentation to him on claims for compensation made by Tobago fishermen, so that they could be forwarded via the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries to the International Oil Spill Compensation Fund.

“However, to date, one month later, the THA has not submitted the required documentation to the Minister of Finance, and, therefore, the Minister of Finance is in no position to comment on or assist with these claims.

“That is the important point, not the fact that the Minister of Finance has no authority under the THA Act to make payments in Tobago, which is a known fact and does not need to be emphasised as if it were a point of contention.

“Secondly, with respect to the operations of the Trinidad and Tobago Revenue Authority (TTRA) in Tobago and the collection of revenue in Tobago, the Minister of Finance did not say that no one is in charge of this activity in Tobago. That is absolute nonsense, clearly designed to create bacchanal.

“What the Minister said was that under the present arrangements, which will continue until the TTRA is fully operational, revenue is collected in Tobago by the Inland Revenue Division and the Customs and Excise Division, both of which are Divisions of the Ministry of Finance, and this revenue is deposited into the THA’s bank account in Tobago for its use.

“The Minister went on to say that discussions are ongoing with the THA on the revenue collection mechanism that will be put in place when the TTRA becomes fully operational.

“This is quite different to saying that no one is in charge of revenue collection…” Imbert said.

In July, government said $50 million had been disbursed to the THA to be allocated to those adversely affected by the February 7, 2024 oil spill.

Government was granted access to the International Oil Pollution fund via the 1992 Civil Liability Convention, to cover clean-up costs in the wake of the damage caused by the Gulfstream oil spill in Tobago.

Minister of Energy and Energy Industries Stuart Young said estimated costs from clean-up efforts are currently in the realm of US$12 million (TT$81.6M), with overall costs expected to be around US$30 million.

The THA said it has since set up a committee to oversee the disbursement of compensation.  

Speaking before the Standing Finance Committee on October 16, Imbert said his Ministry is looking into how to implement the TTRA in relation to the THA’s regulatory structure regarding revenue collection.