The Ministry of Labour’s (MoL) investigation into the on the job death of Vreed-en-Hoop Shorebase worker, Rusbel Azocar, has been completed and a number of recommendations have been to the company. Among the findings, there was improper lighting at the facility and the worker was not in proper safety attire at the time of his demise.
Findings of the February 10 onsite fatal incident will soon be sent to the company, which continues to forge ahead with plans for the delayed project, even as ExxonMobil signalled that they are committed to signing the lease once the work is completed.
Days before the fatality, ExxonMobil had said that the delay in the handing over of the US$300 million artificial island shore base at Vreed-en-Hoop will not affect its operations as the company has already begun moving its equipment to the site. The island is made of material reclaimed from the Demerara River and required engineering that is novel in this part of the world. It was to have been ready by the end of last year.
