Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley says the Oilfield Workers Trade Union (OWTU) has the support of the government once their plan for the Pointe-a-Pierre refinery is a robust one.
Speaking at the Thick Village Community in Fyzabad as the PNM local government campaign touched down in the UNC stronghold on Thursday night, the Prime Minister said, "It is in the best interest of the country that the OWTU's company Patrotric Energies and Technologies Company Ltd, succeed in owning and operating the Guaracara refinery."
Rubbishing claims of an OWTU and PNM conspiracy for the acquisition of the Guaracara refinery, he said the OWTU had put forward the best offer.
"I could argue with Roget. I could argue with any one of them there but having argued with them, I respect them I will work with them, that is what it is all about. Because they have their interest and I have my responsibilities."
Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley greets supporters the PNM meeting in Thick Village, Thursday last night.
Rishi Ragoonath
And he had this message for the OWTU, "I want to further tonight to tell the OWTU as long as your proposal is robust, as long your proposal can withstand business scrutiny, you can count on the government of Trinidad and Tobago to work alongside you to get the job done."
Turning his attention to the critics, he said the only thing they could visualize for this country is mayhem. However, he said his government can visualize OWTU leadership moving from concrete pavements and shouting to being in a boardroom, taking serious decisions about serious investments.
He said their members could also become seriously rich.
Explaining that the OWTU doesn't need to have the money in the bank they just need to find an appropriate financer and seek out the requisite skills required, if they don't have it, to run the refinery.
"So this stupid talk about Roget cant handle the refinery and OWTU can't handle the refinery..."
Just Monday the Patriotic Team met with the Evaluation Committee and put forward the ten specific areas of requirement which they were asked to deliver within a month after their bid for the refinery was accepted.
While they await the outcome of this, Rowley said, "It is in everybody's interest in this country that they succeed in what they are engaged in, whether it Gasparillo, Marabella, San Fernando, Fyzabad or Scarborough. It is in our interest and the government will do everything that is reasonable to make them succeed if they are serious."
Rowley reiterated that Petrotrin was not shut down but was restructured because it was losing money, production was decreasing and was in too much debt.
Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley leaves the PNM meeting in Thick Village, Thursday last night.
Rishi Ragoonath