THE Opposition Leader says the prime minister's condemnation of the Energy Chamber was a means of the government avoiding an energy conference at which harsh questions would have been asked of the government on critical issues affecting TT's energy sector.

At a press conference on January 21, Pennelope Beckles note the PM's recent comments slamming the operations of the chamber as being not in tune with or representing the interests of the energy sector.

"It is not unusual for such conferences where discussions are held on the development of the energy sector. This is the same government that boasted that the Dragon Deal is alive and the PM boasted of being willing to go to Venezuela to meet with the then-resident (Nicolas Maduro). What has happened now? When is that visit," Beckles asked.