COE Report Into Paria Diving Tragedy Pushed To July 2023

Mid July 2023 is the new time frame promised for the delivery of the final report by the Commission of Enquiry into the tragic incidents at Berth 6 Paria Fuel Trading Company in February 2022. The original deadline for the final report was the end of May 2023. At a Virtual Press Conference on Wednesday, Commission Chairman King's Counsel Jerome Lynch said the original deadline had proven to be a challenge. One reason is the volume of the material needed to be examined along with the issuance of Salmon letters. The Chairman has since written to President Christine Kangaloo to approve the extension. The Chairman explained that delivery, issuance, and responses of Salmon letters must be completed before the final report can be given. Salmon letters, he explained, are official letters given to parties, organisations, individuals, or institutions who will be subject to criticism when the inquiry report is released. These parties are also allowed to address these criticisms before the publication of the report. Chairman Lynch assures that the best is being done to ensure justice is served to all of the parties. The Commission of Enquiry concluded in January 2023.