Oropouche East Member of Parliament and Minister of Energy and Energy Industries Dr. Roodal Moonilal has called for amendments to a Private Motion piloted by Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles, which claims that the government’s relations with Venezuela are impeding the country’s progress.
In reading the Private Motion, MP Beckles stated: “Be it resolved that this House condemn the inflammatory statements of the Prime Minister which have isolated Trinidad and Tobago and harmed its standing and interest. And be it further resolved that this House call upon the Government to reaffirm Trinidad and Tobago’s commitment to CARICOM and to the upholding of international law.
However in his response, Dr. Moonilal debunked those claims and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the country’s relations with all its partners.
“Mr. Speaker, the recital will now read: Be it resolved that this House note that the actions of the government have not isolated Trinidad and Tobago and harmed its standing and interests.”
Member of Parliament for Diego Martin North East Colm Imbert then asked for a ruling from Speaker of the House Jagdeo Singh, claiming the amendment to be a direct negative of the Motion.
However, the Speaker rejected this, saying, “I think the substance of the motion remains and I don’t think it’s a direct negative. Honourable Members, I shall now propose the amendment moved by the Honourable Member for Oropouche East and seconded by the Honourable Member for Caroni Central.”
Dr. Moonilal reaffirmed the government’s commitment to dealing with the issue of narco-trafficking in and around Trinidad and Tobago.
“The Prime Minister has been working with our leading ally, the United States of America, and their government to combat narco-trafficking. Mr. Speaker, there are those who reflect and speak of the CARICOM as a zone of peace, but it is a zone of peace for narco-traffickers. It is a zone of peace for human traffickers. It is a zone of peace for the criminal elements. But it is no longer so.”
He also reminded that the country’s energy industry is not dependent on Venezuela.
“We have energy business in Dominica, in Suriname, in the United States of America. We have business we conduct for which we earn money. We earn revenue from Dominica, Suriname, the United States of America, Houston, Texas. Mr. Speaker, we don’t earn money at this moment from the government of Venezuela. So don’t suggest that we lost, we lose something.”
Dr. Moonilal also noted that in the near future, this country will have a footprint in Guyana’s energy sector.