Energy Minister Stuart Young has criticized the opposition United National Congress for celebrating an unfortunate and untimely safety incident with one of the multinational oil and gas companies operating in Trinidad and Tobago.
In a statement, he said: “One of the major oil and gas upstream suppliers operating in Trinidad and Tobago had an issue at its operations which led to it shutting in its production and operations in accordance with normal, accepted safety processes. When this was done, the company informed the National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago (NGC) and I was also informed by the executive management of the issues.”
He said these types of unplanned safety incidents require proper diagnose and assessment by the operator and that process is currently underway.
“At the earliest possible time both the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries and NGC informed the public that unfortunately, an untimely incident had occurred which has led to a significant disruption in the supply of natural gas. The Ministry and NGC released carefully worded announcements even before the said company did.”
Young added: “To have Mr David Lee, who is a disgraced member of parliament, currently on criminal charges and before the criminal courts of Trinidad and Tobago, leading the UNC’s celebrations of a disruption in natural gas supply to our country’s petrochemical plants is to be rejected outrightly.”
“The population should take careful note that the UNC opposition continues to take some sort of distasteful delight and joy in celebrating any unfortunate events and incidents that befall our beloved country. As a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago I condemn this behaviour and reject it.
The upstream multinational oil and gas company is working around the clock to restore its production and supply of natural gas. As and when there are further updates that can be provided they will be provided.”