Revive discourse on Patriotic's bid for Pointe-a-Pierre refinery

THE EDITOR: This is a public call by the Artists Coalition of TT to Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Dr Amery Browne and that ministry's permanent secretary Reita Toussaint to assist in the reawakening and re-evaluating of Patriotic Energies and Technologies Company Ltd’s bid for the acquisition of the Point-a-Pierre oil refinery.

Such action would be the interests of national ownership, regional economic development and energy security, especially as Caricom is marking and celebrating its 50th anniversary and amid the backdrop of the 45th regular meeting of Caricom heads which was held in TT earlier this week.

Since energy security was among the major discussions at the Caricom meeting and, presumably, at other local and regional forums, the future of the Pointe-a-Pierre oil refinery and the proposed acquisition could be highlighted primarily by Dr Browne since his portfolio includes Caricom affairs.

This should be a priority because non-oil producing Caricom countries have the challenge to rely on external sources outside the Caribbean, at great expense, to receive a constant supply of various petrochemicals.

Out of this major discussion, one hopes other Caricom heads of state could make recommendations or request that the government revisit Patriotic’s bid, in the interest of regional energy security, especially since it does not appear that other entities both regionally and internationally are knocking on government's doors to bid for this refinery.

Consideration of Patriotic's bid would also demonstrate collectively Caricom's continued advocacy for solidarity in regional affairs.

PEDRO MULRAIN

Artists Coalition of TT