KEVON FELMINE
Senior Reporter
kevon.felmine@guardian.co.tt
Former prime minister and energy minister Stuart Young says Nutrien’s decision to close its Trinidad operations was unnecessary, arguing that an arrangement could have been reached to keep the Point Lisas plant operating while allowing both Nutrien and the National Gas Company (NGC) to remain profitable.
In a statement yesterday, Young said: “This is an unnecessary closure as it is possible to find what is called a ‘sweet spot’ where both NGC and Nutrien would be able to make money and to have continued plant operations and gas sales at a profit.”
Nutrien announced the closure of its Trinidad Nitrogen operations following a review of its options amid continued uncertainty over the supply and cost of natural gas. Young rejected the suggestion that the closure was linked to concerns about the wider financial consequences for the State.
“This loss and closure was not due to the likelihood of sinking the Treasury and a sovereign downgrade with all its consequences,” Young said.
But Young said his immediate concern was the impact on workers and their families, arguing that the consequences would extend far beyond the Point Lisas plant. He said the impact of job losses would be felt inside households, where families would have to reassess how they meet their financial obligations.
“It means a parent or parents sitting at the kitchen table, trying to work out how they will meet next month’s commitments. It means someone wondering how to pay the mortgage, keep a child in school, or provide medication for an ageing parent.”
He said the economic fallout would also reach contractors, transport operators, food vendors and small suppliers that depend on the industrial sector.
“They reach the contractor waiting for the next maintenance job; the driver transporting workers; the food vendor preparing meals before sunrise; the small supplier who employs a handful of people and depends on regular business from the estate.”
The Nutrien closure comes against a backdrop of other disruptions in T&T’s petrochemical sector.
“We have already experienced the closure of Yara’s wholly owned ammonia plant and the idling of Methanex’s operations. With job losses expected to come at Proman next.”
He said workers at other plants would now be concerned about the security of their own jobs.
“Workers at other plants will understandably be asking: ‘Could we be next?’
“They deserve a serious answer.”
Young called for Government, Nutrien, worker representatives and relevant agencies to urgently develop a plan to assist affected workers and businesses.
“Workers need timely information about their employment, their entitlements and the transition ahead.”
He also called for efforts to find a new operator or restart the facilities.
“Any effort to secure a new operator or restart the facilities should be pursued with determination and reported honestly.”
Young said the country must also seek to retain the skills of workers in the energy sector.
“Our engineers, technicians, operators and skilled tradespeople represent decades of national investment and experience. We must make every effort to retain their capabilities and create opportunities for them here at home.”
He said the loss of a job should not be treated as a personal failure.
“No worker should be made to feel that the loss of a job is a personal failure.”
