Prime Minister Outlines Ambitious Energy Plans and Legislative Agenda
Newly sworn-in Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar outlines plans to enhance energy resources and fulfill campaign promises, focusing on repealing specific laws, partnering with Grenada, Guyana, and Suriname for gas exploration, and ensuring Tobago’s inclusion in economic strategies.
In her inaugural address at the President’s House on May 3, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar outlined a robust agenda for her newly sworn-in government. Among her initial priorities, she emphasized the need to roll up sleeves and start addressing campaign commitments, focusing on repealing the Trinidad and Tobago Revenue Authority Act along with introducing necessary laws surrounding self-defense and firearms for responsible citizens. These, she noted, are “low-hanging fruits” that can be implemented without extensive financial outlay, requiring primarily political will.
Furthermore, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar has tasked Dr. Roodal Moonilal, the Minister of Energy and Energy Industries, with searching for new oil and gas resources. Highlighting Trinidad and Tobago’s historical strength in the oil sector, she expressed confidence in utilizing this advantage for strategic partnerships with neighboring CARICOM countries. The Prime Minister specifically mentioned exploring potential gas offers from Guyana and Suriname, suggesting that collaboration in the energy sector could be mutually beneficial.
In an intriguing revelation, she mentioned a target for exploration in Grenada, based on reports of substantial offshore gas and oil reserves that could potentially surpass the Dragon Field’s yields. “Let us explore that so we can live and work together here in the Caricom,” she stated, underscoring her commitment to regional cooperation.
Notably, the Prime Minister declared the previous gas deal with Venezuela for the Dragon Field as ineffective, marking a significant pivot in Trinidad and Tobago’s energy strategy. Alongside these initiatives, she relayed that Finance Minister Dave Tancoo has been instructed to evaluate the financial health of the Treasury.
Moreover, she assured that her plans would encompass the perspectives and needs of Tobago as well. Persad-Bissessar expressed intentions to engage the Tobago House of Assembly collaboratively, notably voicing a desire for a cohesive model that embodies the ethos of unity articulated in the national anthem: “Side by side we stand.”
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s administration is embarking on an ambitious plan to enhance Trinidad and Tobago’s energy sector through regional partnerships. Emphasizing early legislative agenda items, she seeks to repeal certain acts, promote personal defense laws, and explore new gas reserves in Grenada, Guyana, and Suriname. These efforts reflect a keen desire to bolster the nation’s economy while involving Tobago in this developmental framework, indicative of a broader commitment to collaborative governance.
Original Source: newsday.co.tt
