Opposition Senator Anil Roberts wants international experts to investigate the recent explosion at the NiQuan Energy plant and put forward their findings before a Joint Select Committee of Parliament.
Roberts made the call at a United National Congress (UNC) media conference at the Office of the Opposition Leader, Port-of-Spain, as he pleaded with newly-appointed Energy Minister Stuart Young “to recuse himself from any and all matters involving NiQuan Energy.”
Roberts said while Opposition Chief Whip David Lee had called for a motion of no-confidence against Young in his previous capacity as national security minister, the UNC would not think twice to raise the same motion under his new portfolio.
“We need the people to help us also to put pressure. We will put all pressure throughout the Parliament, through questions, urgent questions, questions for written answers. Will this Minister of Energy recuse himself because of the past relationship with Malcolm Jones and GTL?” Roberts asked.
In 2020, Roberts said NiQuan had a cash balance of US$400,000. However, following the opening of the plant in March, Roberts said they are yet to produce and sell any product, pay bills or service a US$120 million loan.
“If it is insolvent, what is the risk or the value of the US$25 million shares that the people of Trinidad and Tobago own?” he asked.
Roberts said when a company fails to make money, the shares are worth nothing.
“They have not earned one cent. Their wage bill monthly is US$511,000. I ask the question now, is NiQuan Energy insolvent?”
Roberts claimed information reaching him was that the company’s workers had not been paid for between nine to 16 weeks.
“That is a serious indictment on the company,” he said.
Roberts also wondered if NiQuan was in a position to pay Point-a-Pierre residents who were affected by the recent explosion and suffered structural damage to their properties.
Asked if the explosion should be examined by a Joint Select Committee of Parliament, Roberts said we need “international, independent experts to go into that NiQuan plant.
Guardian media yesterday attempted to contact NiQuan CEO Ainsley Gill but the calls went unanswered. A WhatsApp message outlining the issues raised by Roberts was also sent.