Vessel not abandoned, but in need of repairs

So said Tunde Okikiolu, general manager of Tricontinental Group, a Nigerian-based company managing the ill-fated MT Tumini vessel.

Speaking to Newsday yesterday, Okikiolu said that the crew on board would be compensated, but he needs to finalise an agreement with a view to having the vessel up and running for cargo transport in the Caribbean.

The five-member Guyanese crew has been on board the vessel from August, 2013, waiting for wages from Tricontinental Group amounting to close to US$300,000.

The 300-feet-long vessel is docked off Trinidad Cement Limited’s jetty, and has been non-operational since 2013. The crew consists of Rakesh Jim (Chief Officer); Foy Fredericks (Chief Engineer); Lawrence Daniel (second Engineer); Mohammed Gadwah (second officer) and Neil Rampersaud (Assistant Engineer/oiler). Last week Friday, crew members appealed to the government to intervene to settle with Tricontinental, the outstanding wages. The five have been surviving on food and water which they purchased from wages paid to them in January and which represent wages for the period April to July of 2013.

General manager Okikiolu said that he has proposed an offer to the crew of US$100,000, with prospects of the balance being paid when the vessel is repaired, and is seaworthy. However, this offer was turned down by the sailors.

“First let me say that the vessel is not abandoned. We in the oil industry in Nigeria are people of integrity, and we do not want our good name to be smeared. We intend to resolve this matter very soon,” Okikiolu said.

But speaking to Newsday yesterday, assistant engineer Rampersaud said that Tricontinental wants to pay a small part of the wages owed, and commit the crew to signing a document to forego their right to pursue legal action.

“We are owed almost US$300,000 in wages. Trincontinental wants us to sign a letter saying that we would not take legal action. What is the guarantee that the balance would be paid. They are saying that after the vessel is repaired, and is up and running and doing trade, then they will pay. We have no problem with that, but why make us sign a document before we are paid,” he asked. Okikiolu said that he would be seeking a meeting with the crew to resolve the matter soon.