OWTU head concerned about new Petrotrin board

Ancel Roget, president-general of Trinidad and Tobago’s Oil Workers Trade Union (OWTU) called for the termination of Petrotrin’s newly appointed board members on Monday, just four days after Prime Minister Keith Rowley announced the replacement of the NOC’s directors.

Roget expressed doubt that the new board would be able to carry out its primary mandate of making Petrotrin sustainable and profitable, citing a lack experience, knowledge and competence within the hydrocarbons industry as the reasons for his objections. Specifically, the OWTU president objected to the appointment of Wilfred Espinet, Joel Harding and Nigel Edwards.

Roget also firmly opposed the appointment of Selwyn Lashley, permanent secretary for the Ministry of Energy and Energy Affairs, saying that Lashley’s position at the ministry is now compromised.

Former Minister of Energy and Energy Affairs Kevin Ramnarine yesterday expressed similar concerns regarding Lashley’s appointment.

Prime Minister Rowley appointed Petrotrin’s new board of directors last Friday.