Energy Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal has fired back at former Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, accusing him of generating propaganda and creating mischief as a strategy to announce his re-entry into the political arena. Moonilal claimed Rowley is positioning himself as a counter to a “very weak” opposition leader, Pennelope Beckles.

Moonilal also made it clear there has never been any discussion regarding the sale of Paria Fuel Trading or its assets. “We have always spoken about reopening the refinery, and therefore that matter does not arise,” he said in a series of WhatsApp messages on November 18.

“In 2019 the PNM government had put out an RFP (request for proposal) for the sale of Paria and then went sheepishly and embarrassingly and pulled it back.” Moonilal said, reflecting on Paria’s issues in 2019.