Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has detailed her government’s initial focus on energy and fulfilling campaign promises. This includes exploring gas deals with Grenada, Guyana, and Suriname while addressing financial assessments and the needs of Tobago. The Dragon Field deal with Venezuela is declared off.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has outlined key priorities for her new government, highlighting a proactive approach to energy resources. Speaking shortly after her swearing-in ceremony on May 3 at the President’s House in Port of Spain, she expressed rapid plans to start work in the country’s energy sector.
First on her agenda is fulfilling campaign promises, which includes the repeal of the Trinidad and Tobago Revenue Authority Act, implementing stand-your-ground laws, and laws pertaining to home invasions. According to Persad-Bissessar, these initiatives are attainable without significant financial resources, stating, “Those are very low-hanging fruits and will not require too much money but it’s the will and the fact that we really want to bring these things into place.”
In a strategic move focusing on energy, the Prime Minister has tasked Dr. Roodal Moonilal, the Minister of Energy and Energy Industries, with exploring oil and gas deals, particularly with neighboring countries including Guyana and Suriname. “We have one of the oldest oil industries in the world so we have that competitive advantage which we can use that to our advantage to market to our Caricom neighbours right here and, of course, further field,” she stated.
Moreover, she emphasized discussions with Guyana regarding gas supply to Trinidad and Tobago. Persad-Bissessar has enthused about potential natural resources in Grenada, even suggesting that Grenada’s offshore resources could exceed those of the current Dragon Field. “But I have a surprise for you, I intend to send my Minister of Energy to Grenada because I’m being told Grenada offshore has more gas and oil than the Dragon Field. So shall we explore that?” she articulated, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with Caribbean Community (Caricom) nations.
In another notable development, the Prime Minister declared the previously anticipated Dragon Field gas deal with Venezuela to be effectively nonviable. Focusing on financial assessments, she noted that Minister of Finance Dave Tancoo would look into the Treasury’s status as part of broader fiscal planning.
Persad-Bissessar is also keen on revenue-generation strategies. She highlighted a collaborative approach in working closely with her yet-to-be-sworn-in Minister of Trade and other Cabinet members, ensuring that efforts will also consider the needs of Tobago. “We will be looking at a model together (with the Tobago House of Assembly) where we can truly reflect what we sing in our anthem: ‘Side by side we stand.'”
In summary, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s new administration plans to prioritize energy resource exploration and fulfillment of campaign promises. With a focus on collaboration within Caricom nations, opening up discussions with Grenada, Guyana, and Suriname, the new government is looking to leverage Trinidad and Tobago’s historical oil industry while addressing local and regional needs. Fiscal assessments and collaboration with Tobago are also part of the broader vision laid out.
Original Source: newsday.co.tt
