Bring best young minds to modernise energy sector - TT Prime Minister

Bring best young minds to modernise energy sector – TT Prime Minister

Mar 22, 2018 News

TT’s Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Rowley

While the Government of Guyana may be slow in the use of local expertise as the nation moves to first oil, its CARICOM counterpart, Trinidad and Tobago is wasting no time.
After finding itself in a less than favourable economic position, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago is on the move to modernise its energy sector. Its main ingredient in this approach will be the use of the brilliant young minds of the nation, which spans 5,131 kilometers.
The process has already started with the Prime Minister of the twin-island Republic, Dr. Keith Rowley, retaining the help of those persons who possess the rich institutional knowledge that would complement the new ideas to come from the younger generation.
At the recently held Spotlight on Energy Conference in Port of Spain, Dr. Rowley made this move known. He said that it is necessary if the nation wishes to have an advantage in the risky oil industry.
Dr. Rowley said, “We got ourselves into this (economic) situation because we shied away from knowledge on the marketplace; that is coming to an end. Understanding that we have worked for the last year and a half with Poten and Partners, and that we are ensuring that we get the best advice available so that when we come to the table to talk in the zone of mutual respect, Trinidad and Tobago is not disadvantaged.”
“With respect to our young people, our future, we have very many bright young people who we were told today are unemployed. We hail them; then they get the scholarships and go abroad to some of the best universities.
“We are not interested in what happens after. But, that will have to change and some fundamental changes will have to be made to absorb that kind of talent if this country is to going to have a future.”
The Prime Minister, who is a geologist added, “It is against that background that I’ve engaged the assistance, pro bono, of former permanent secretary Jacqui Wilson to go out there and find our scholars in certain particular fields because we are reconstructing the Ministry of Energy and other areas where their skills are required to give us the chance to be the best that we can be.
“So that when we sit down across the table from those who look after their shareholders, those who speak for Trinidad and Tobago will have the wherewithal to be respected across the table and to come away with a fair deal for the people of Trinidad and Tobago.”
The Prime Minister insisted that the government’s role through the Ministry of Energy must be modernised. Hence, Mr. Selwyn Lashley was retained as the Permanent Secretary.
Dr. Rowley noted that Lashley officially retired 18 months ago, “but we just could not let him go at this particular time because we needed his expertise. He agreed to stay on and work with us on assignments and also to assist us in the succession planning in getting someone to replace him because you can’t just put anybody in the Ministry of Energy as Permanent Secretary.”
The Prime Minister also acknowledged the work of former Minister Wendell Mottley who agreed to help the government with getting the industry back on its feet.

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