Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar says the National Gas Company (NGC) cannot take a financial loss to make privately-owned companies profitable.

The Express contacted the Prime Minister yesterday for comment following a warning from the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association that a proposed 76% increase in natural gas prices by the State-owned NGC- from US$3 to US$5.30 per MMBtu-could squeeze businesses already burdened by higher electricity costs and shipping fees, increasing inflation risks.

Persad-Bissessar said those same businesses operated on profit margins, and so must the State-owned NGC.