The explanations given by the Prime Minister and the Minister of National Security, must be difficult to swallow even for the most fervent and blind followers of the PNM.
The Vice President of Venezuela visited T&T under very suspicious circumstances, where the President of Venezuela was indicted on drug related charges, the day just before the visit. The shipment of oil occurred the day after the visit and then it became evident, that the vice president was not alone as presented by the Prime Minister.
Several people who were former members of Government, have exhaustively outlined the protocol for these visits. There were no minutes nor notes.
The Minister of National Security clearly found himself being the centre of nuisance, having to somersault, dodge, wriggle and play hide and seek thereafter. He quickly resorted to the optimistic hope that Trinidadians are not discerning and therefore ‘’this shall quickly pass’’.
His explanation was authentic, just as the founder and leader of the PNM and first Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Eric Williams who fought for independence.
The Prime Minister, probably hoping to beat the level of deepening illogic from his blundering and irresponsible minister, found himself days later, coming up with the explanation that the visit was about National Security, pertaining to the COVID-19 virus but not about the “ biological nature” of the virus itself (or something like that).
He also previously stated that he had no knowledge of who the others were, that attended the meeting and that he cannot reveal the discussions that were held. This clearly shows the ignorance of transparency and total disrespect to us the citizens.
National security discussions are classified information, but yet you do not know who attended the meeting?
Assuming this is indeed the case, then there is a serious mis judgment and mishandling of national security issues, which places the country in a very vulnerable and uncivilised position.
The other irresponsible explanation from the National Security Minister, was that one of the attendees present at the meeting, had become the Vice President of the now PDVSA, weeks after the meeting, seeking to justify that he wasn’t in the said position at the time of the meeting.
With the above analysis of the now “fuel gate fiasco,” in any organisation, be it macro or micro enterprise, there is always a period of transition, where there is a handover process.
Sometimes, past presidents may very well sit in on the board to oversee the transition and ensure that there is a smooth handover. During handovers and traditional processes, there is an exchange of information pertinent to the organisation.
So, my questions are what pertinence did this visit present and whose interest did it serve?
In any other civilised country, the public would have pushed for accountability and transparency, where all those involved, would have been asked to resign with immediate effect.