Roget calls for new Petrotrin board to go

President General of the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU) Ancel Roget yesterday called for the newly appointed board of directors at State-owned Petrotrin to be reviewed and reconstituted.

The union leader further suggested that the union is willing to assist by pointing out competent individuals who can effectively take the company forward.

Speaking at a press conference held at Paramount Building at Circular Road, San Fernando, yesterday the union leader charged that it appeared Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley was “set-up” in choosing the directors.

“Somebody gave Dr Rowley the wrong advice for yet another occasion. Somebody in the Cabinet set up the Prime Minister, I want to believe that. This is a miss jump, not a misstep...For yet another occasion, the Government missed another opportunity to take on board a union representative to contribute,” Roget said.

Only on Friday, before his departure to the USA for a medical check-up, Rowley announced the names of the new directors, whom he hoped would be able to restructure and turn around the company within the next two to three years.

Roget accused the Government of not wanting to select a representative from the OWTU although these workers have the competence to look after the interest of the country. As such, he accused the “one per cent” of pulling the strings of the Prime Minister to sit on the board regardless of their level of competencies.

“What is the level of competence and or experience that Wilfred Espinet will have to bring to bear on Petrotrin’s decision making, policy implementing or direction given to allow for that company to benefit? We feel it is will be a rough road going forward if they do not recall Joel Harding who has no experience, Nigel Edwards, Wilfred Espinet and the likes,” Roget added.

Roget vowed that the union would not sit idly by and allow a “sham board “to be installed as the country will suffer.

Roget further charged that some of the directors want to have the company privitised which is not in the interest of the people of TT.