In Brief
- Government Response: Minister of Energy Dr Roodal Moonilal says the government will aggressively seek new investors to restart the Point Lisas facility following Nutrien’s indefinite closure.
- Profit Over Supply: Moonilal dismissed claims of natural gas shortages, stating that Nutrien’s decision was driven by a desire for higher profit margins for its shareholders.
- Good Faith Negotiations: The Minister assured that the National Gas Company (NGC) engaged with Nutrien in good faith and called the company’s departure “unfortunate,” for the country and its workers.
By Alicia Chamely
Minister of Energy and Energy Industries Dr Roodal Moonilal says that, given Nutrien’s decision, the government will aggressively engage in discussions with all existing stakeholders and potential investors to restart the facility.
Moonilal assured that all efforts were made by the National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago (NGC) to resolve the ongoing issues with Nutrien, and at the end of the day, Nutrien’s decision was driven by what was best for its shareholders.
Nutrien has announced its decision to indefinitely shut down its Point Lisas operations after idling the plant for almost one year while it engaged in continuing negotiations with the National Energy Corporation (NEC) and the NGC.
AZP News reached out to Moonilal after Nutrien’s announcement.
In a WhatsApp statement, Moonilal said that the decision taken by Nutrien was “unfortunate,” and the government, through the NGC, had been in discussions with Canadian-based Nutrien to resolve the issues surrounding its operations at the Point Lisas PSC Nitrogen Complex.
Dismissing Nutrien’s claim that a reliable source of natural gas was a factor in its decision, Moonilal stated, “The decision of Nutrien is one driven not by the shortage of gas supply but by the desire to extract a margin that is suitable to their shareholders. The government is compelled to act in the best interest of their shareholders, the citizens of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.”
Commenting on the efforts made by the government and the NGC to resolve the impasse with Nutrien, he stated, “At all material times, the National Gas Company has engaged with Nutrien in good faith. They were invited to engage with the NGC for the supply of gas to the facility but refused to accept that invitation.”
“It is unfortunate that the pursuit of profit has trumped the best interest of this country, the energy sector and the citizens who have, in some cases, given their entire professional career and adult lives to Nutrien,” he added.
Moonilal confirmed that the government had made it a priority to have the plant restarted in the near future.
He stated, “Having regard to the decision taken by Nutrien, the government will now seek to explore in a more aggressive manner discussions with all existing stakeholders and potential new investors with an aim to restart this facility in the not-too-distant future.”
Moonilal said, “I have also taken note of the continuing depth of hypocrisy spun by the former Minister Stuart Young. I wish to remind him of the plethora of plant closures under his administration that stuck a dagger in the heart of the energy sector.
“He should be apologising for the following closures – Arcelor Mittal Point Lisas – 2016; Central Trinidad Steel – 2016; the mega 5,000 worker plus Petrotrin Refinery – 2018; YARA Trinidad Ammonia Plant – 2018; Atlantic Train 1 – 2021. And the long term Idling of Methanex Titan – Idled from April 2020 to September 2024.
“MP Young should refrain from public statements given this atrocious record, he should ‘say less’.”
