The Government of Trinidad and Tobago is taking steps to return the country to its rightful place as “the energy hub of the Caribbean” and to advance the fulfilment of outstanding commitments made to former Petrotrin Refinery employees.
Speaking at a remembrance ceremony in Pointe-a-Pierre on Sunday to mark the closure of Petrotrin, Minister in the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries Ernesto Kesar explained to members of the Oilfield Workers’ Trade Union (OTWU) that the Government is taking specific steps to benefit the local oil and gas industry.
“We took a decision very early we want back we main office. We need to put back Heritage logo and make that office a hub in South for energy. So that we have already made the necessary instructions to have the office, the building itself, returned to the Ministry of Energy so that we can continue to do the work.”
According to Minister Kesar, the country is already behind based on the decision taken seven years ago on Petrotrin. However, he said the government intends to focus on corrective measures.
“Because the country always had to buy oil, from the time the refinery open to when you close it. The appetite of the refinery, brothers and sisters, was always local crude, combined and blended with the foreign crude sometimes they call it the ‘Molo Crude’ that provided the best appetite for the refinery. Comrades, I correct? Good.”
OWTU President Ancel Roget echoed the Minister’s remarks, jointly challenging the accuracy of statements made by the former Prime Minister, particularly those used to justify Petrotrin’s closure.
“And he’s coming out batting for somebody, which is why he talking about don’t sell Paria and a set of foolishness on social media and the comrade MP, comrade Kesar made the point, comrade Minister made the point, that we always, always, from since Texaco days, always important oil from Russia, from even Venezuela then, from Nigeria, all over the place.”
Reading from an official report, Minister Kesar revealed that 2,814 former refinery workers applied to the Land Settlement Agency’s lottery immediately after their termination yet only 238 received a commitment.
He further disclosed that he has received direct instructions from Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
“To prepare a report for the perusal of the Cabinet of Trinidad and Tobago that would encompass all of the workers of Petrotrin, all, all, all, permanent, casual, temporary, for consideration. Listen to my words carefully, eh: for consideration and approval where necessary by the cabinet of Trinidad and Tobago to be given the land that was committed to you, all.”
The government also plans to engage key stakeholders to reopen medical centres once operated by Petrotrin. According to Minister Kesar, the aim is to begin this process within the next six months.