Army may have to take control of port

From the face of it, these simultaneous investigations will result in a bungling mess at the Port Authority (PATT ), which will produce little or no results, and will further exacerbate the hardships being experienced by the people as a result of the ferry fiasco.

One could well imagine the scenario at the port as these bodies begin to trip over each other in their probes — evidence being lost or contaminated and guilty parties slipping through the cracks that are bound to appear.

While it is important to know what has transpired in what appears to be a bogus deal, what happens in the meantime with the ferry service that is absolutely critical to daily life in Tobago? Do we wait on the completion of these probes before we proceed to find relief to the situation? Who is going to find us a suitable ferry to support the ailing T&T Express and the not so wholesome Cabo Star? Can we rely on the present board of the PATT to rectify these issues in spite of the current fiasco? In my humble opinion, this situation constitutes a national emergency. There is no telling when the PATT could resume its search for suitable vessels nor can the present configuration be relied upon for a service that will be obviously hampered by these investigations.

Heads will roll surely, as information comes to light. People will be sent on leave and management will be in shambles.

It will become difficult to focus clearly on two separate issues — the problems plaguing the port and the crucial ferry service — as well as the misdeeds and the machinations arising out of a deal gone bad.

One must remember, also, that the issues with the port do not start and end with the ferry service between Tobago and Trinidad. We also have a multitude of problems with the handling of containers and the possible seepage of contraband through the port, with the admitted inability to treat with, or the well organised mismanagement of, container cargo coming into the country.

Surely there must be investigations to address these concerns.

Seems to me the port is in serious trouble and all-embracing, remedial action is necessary to put things right.

Perhaps these four probes can be rolled into one massive forensic audit, conducted by an independent, competent international body. For now, however, some interim management system must be implemented to avoid a very bad situation getting worse.

Perhaps it might be necessary to call in the army to take control of the port. Not impossible, since such expertise must reside within this institution, trained to manage emergencies.

GARVIN COLE Tobago