Guyanese businessman denies involvement in Tobago oil spill
In response to circulating allegations on social media, Mohamed Qualander, the chief executive officer of Queensway Group Inc based in Guyana, has denied any association with the recent oil spill affecting Trinidad and Tobago.
In a statement released to the press, Qualander expressed “great concern” over assertions linking him to the vessel allegedly responsible for the spill.
According to reports, a message posted on social media claims “that a vessel carrying fuel that capsized off the coast of Trinidad & Tobago belongs to Mohamed Qualander also known as ‘Arafat’.
However, he asserted his lack of ownership of any fuel-carrying vessels and emphasized his non-involvement in fuel trading activities.
Responding to concerns
Following the dissemination of these claims, Qualander disclosed receiving numerous inquiries from various quarters, including friends, family, and business associates, expressing apprehension and disbelief regarding the accusations.
Qualander disclosed that the matter has been escalated to the Cyber Crimes unit of the Guyana Police Force for further investigation and resolution.
Collaborative efforts to address the crisis
Meanwhile, Trinidad and Tobago’s government has announced collaborative efforts with international experts to address the aftermath of the oil spill.
Engaging the services of Texas-based T&T Salvage and QT Environmental from Minnesota, alongside local authorities, the government aims to mitigate environmental damage and expedite clean-up operations.
Unraveling the incident
Preliminary investigations by Trinidad and Tobago’s Coast Guard have shed light on the oil spill’s circumstances.
Confirmation of the involvement of two vessels—a tugboat and a barge—has prompted a concerted effort involving regional agencies and consultants to identify the vessels and their owners.
The quest for answers
Trindad and Tobago’s Ministry of National Security said the TTCG is collaborating with other local and regional agencies, including the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS), the Guyana Coast Guard (GCG), the Maritime Services Division, and IR Consilium, through consultant Dr Ian Ralby, to identify the vessels and their owners.
It has been established that the vessels were purportedly en route to Guyana. However, they failed to reach their destination as planned.
Efforts are underway to ascertain the extent of the environmental impact and any potential casualties resulting from the incident.
Environmental imperatives
The spillage, characterized by black, oily deposits spanning from Scarborough to Lowlands in Tobago, poses a significant threat to the region’s biodiversity.
Authorities are working to contain and mitigate the ecological repercussions, prioritizing the preservation of Tobago’s natural habitat.
