Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley is in Guyana this morning where energy matters are among items on his agenda. But before flying out yesterday, he made a commitment to Oilfields Workers Trade Union (OWTU) president general Ancel Roget that the door on the purchase of the Petrotrin refinery may still be open if the union will accept full responsibility and is willing to “present and commit to the rigours of an acceptable business proposal.”
Rowley, however, made it clear that if a “more attractive offer comes up,” that is in the interest of taxpayers it will have to take priority.
Rowley and Roget yesterday exchanged letters on the planned closure of the refinery, with Roget asking Government to consider the union’s proposal delivered on September 10, as he expressed concerns about the fallout for workers, their families and the wider social impact on communities in south Trinidad when the refinery is shut down.
The PM reiterated that it was based on “requisite analysis and diagnoses” that Government had taken the “very difficult decision to close the refinery.” Under the restructuring programme, he said the refinery will be separated from the company’s business and would then “stand alone as an asset for which a future of some sort would have to be designed.” Rowley said this was what he meant when he spoke of “opportunity attention” in his address to the nation on September 2.
The PM said, “Once the refinery is so cauterised, it would be available for attention in order to ensure that the taxpayers who are the owners, get whatever value which can be derived from its use or disposal.”
The OWTU last week delivered copies of an alternative plan titled “Saving Petrotrin,” to Rowley, the Petrotrin board, the Opposition and President Paula-Mae Weekes.
Roget has indicated that the union is in discussions with several persons who are interested in partnering with them to take over the refinery.
The PM told Roget “if the OWTU is able and willing to present and commit to the rigours of an acceptable business proposal, then the Government will treat with it with the dignity and respect it deserves” and would be prepared to give the workers “some facilitation” so long as that is within “reasonable business transactional arrangements.”
But he was clear that if “much more attractive proposals become available then it must be expected that the interest of the taxpayer will take priority.”
Rowley said he had noted the union’s proposal was sent to the Petrotrin board, which has already indicated that “if a superior proposal is presented to change the current decision, it will not hesitate to treat with it and advise the Cabinet accordingly. I have not been advised that such a situation now exists.”
The board and the union are due to meet today to discuss the OWTU’s alternative plan. But yesterday at a media conference, Petrotrin chairman Wilfred Espinet described the plan as “confusing, it attempts to go in a direction opposite to what we intend to do.” Despite this, Espinet said he remained open to the talks.
Rowley reminded Roget that closure of the refinery was first told to him when they met on August 21, a position which he said was arrived at after lengthy, detailed, expert analysis.
He noted Government was aware that in the short term “there will be hardships and concerns” of people to deal with, “but we have every confidence that in the medium to long term the outcome will be to the benefit of the wider national community.”
Rowley said he wanted to make it abundantly clear that neither the Government, Petrotrin board, nor any person or agent acting on behalf of the taxpayer, “has made any arrangement whatsoever at this time to dispose of the refinery assets of Petrotrin.”
He said he had taken note “of our common position of the need for a restructured Petrotrin, with a new mandate which will not require a government guarantee to conduct its business and will not threaten the country’s credit rating.”
The board, the PM said, had done exactly that.
Contacted for comment last evening, Roget said he had not yet seen the PM’s response as he was at a meeting in Barataria.
But in his letter to the PM, a copy of which was obtained by the T&T Guardian, Roget said the OWTU’s alternative plan aimed at keeping the refinery open and placing Petrotrin on the road to “viability and success” and had sought to address all areas of concerns raised by the Government, including adequate crude supply, oil production, productivity, the debt, inefficiencies, asset integrity and many other areas.
Roget assured that with a totally restructured Petrotrin “our proposal will not require any government guarantee or funding and would certainly positively impact the country’s credit rating.”
Roget said given the dire consequences for Petrotrin workers, citizens and the country as a whole, the union stands ready to begin “deep and meaningful engagement” around its proposal, including the examination of all other options, to arrive at an amicable solution in the interest of the country.