The Energy Chamber of Trinidad & Tobago has joined the nation in mourning the passing of Mark Loquan, a past member of the Energy Chamber's Board, referring to him as "a distinguished leader of the national and global energy industry."
The Chamber added that its thoughts and condolences are with his family, friends, and colleagues at this difficult time.
The release said Loquan's passing was a tremendous loss to the industry, the country, and the many lives he touched throughout his career in both energy and culture. "He was a good man who did great things."
Loquan was also a former National Gas Company (NGC) president and a recipient of the nation's highest award, the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (ORTT).
Loquan's career spanned over three decades in the energy and petrochemical industry, marked by leadership roles in several countries, including Trinidad and Tobago, the USA, Europe, Africa, and Australia, and culminating in his role as President of the National Gas Company of Trinidad & Tobago from 2016 until 2024.
The Chamber added that Loquan's "expertise and dedication to the energy sector were invaluable to both the companies he led and the industry as a whole."
The release said that Loquan "had a deep and abiding commitment to the people of Trinidad & Tobago. His leadership of industry initiatives led to the creation of a strong industry-wide safety culture in Trinidad & Tobago and to significant new appreciation and commitment to decarbonisation and the creation of a more sustainable energy industry."
The Chamber highlighted that Loquan "helped create a sense of common purpose across the energy value chain, from upstream operators through the petrochemical producers, and throughout the supply chain. He championed the development of skills, concerns for the environment, the export of energy services and the recognition of the importance of community engagement. His industry colleagues were always in awe of his ability to do all of this whilst also composing and producing music, in particular for his beloved steel pan."
The Chamber said it had been anticipating Loquan's transition to the music industry; however, his time was cut short. "When Mark announced that he was retiring from the industry to pursue his love of music and culture, his industry colleagues were all looking forward to many years of his continued contribution to national development. It is a profound tragedy that his dreams to concentrate on culture have been cruelly cut short by his illness."