The Oilfield Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU) said the claims made by Opposition MP Dr Roodal Moonilal that the Chief Executive Officer of Sunstone Equity, John Van Dyke was involved in the purchase of the Petrotrin refinery, were false.
“When your bombshell is a FAKE,” the OWTU posted on its Facebook page yesterday.
The post added: “1. There was no money transfer; 2. There was no secret - we were working with Sunstone when we were still discussing a lease for the refinery; 3. Sunstone has nothing to do with our current bid.”
Political leader of the Movement for Social Justice, David Abdulah also criticised Dr Moonilal for the claims.
Abdulah was a guest of CNC3’s The Morning Brew yesterday morning.
“All those things that Dr Roodal spoke about are not in the picture whatsoever,” he said.
He challenged Dr Moonilal to make his claims outside of the Parliament, saying that the UNC launched an attack on his integrity.
He said Moonilal was trying to ‘muddy the waters and create mischief and confusion where there is none’, as far as the bid for Petrotrin’s assets was concerned.
He insisted that due process was followed during every step of the transaction, and said there is nothing to fear if a probe is carried out.
Abdulah said he was consulting his attorneys, adding that he will explore all legal options.
In October 2018, the OWTU revealed that Sunstone equity assisted the union in producing a lease-to-own plan for the Point-a-Pierre refinery.
Moonilal alleged during his contribution to the Budget in the Lower House on Tuesday, that it was a former People’s National Movement (PNM) candidate, Vidya Deokiesingh, who facilitated the meeting between the OWTU and Van Dyke.
Abdulah said the Opposition MP could have got clarification from him at any time, including the night of the Budget when he said they crossed paths.
Abdulah also rubbished claims that the sale of the refinery to Patriotic Energies & Technologies Company Limited, was nothing but an election gift to the labour movement from the ruling PNM.