Chief Secretary Farley Augustine Says All Oil Spill Compensation To Be Handled Through I.O.P.C. 

Chief Secretary Farley Augustine clarified that the International Oil Compensation Fund will exclusively handle compensation for fishermen and others affected by the Gulfstream Oil Spill. Augustine made this statement while responding to a question from Minority Leader Kelvon Morris in the Assembly Legislature today. Augustine explained that the central government’s $50 million in supplemental funding during the 2024 mid-year review was used to settle bills incurred by the THA in coordinating response efforts to the oil spill. He stated that all the funds were spent as intended, with the THA also utilising part of its regular budgetary allocation to cover some of the expenses. Regarding the additional $2 million owed to the All Tobago Fisherfolk for their assistance in the response efforts, the Chief Secretary assured that he is keeping his promise to pay and confirmed that it would be done within the first fiscal quarter of 2025. Meanwhile, he noted that fishermen are being kept informed about the ongoing compensation assessments through the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund. The Chief Secretary also informed fishermen and others affected that applications for compensation remain open and can be submitted through the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund website.