By Faith Edwards

FORMER National Gas Company (NGC) president Mark Loquan has passed away.

Loquan, 63 died on Sunday.

He was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2024.

Prime Minister Stuart Young described Loquan as a great patriot, a son of the soil and a friend.

Young on his Facebook page wrote, “Mark and I worked very closely together on many, many, transactions in the gas sector from 2017 until he fell ill in February of 2024. We brainstormed together and we fought many battles together to secure a better future for Trinidad and Tobago.”

He added, “He was a talented and humble man. Someone genuinely concerned about our country and dedicated to doing his part to make it better. Whether it was composing music for the pan, strategizing the future of our gas industry or negotiating for better terms and conditions for Trinidad and Tobago Mark did it with a level of passion and excellence.”

Young said he would deeply miss Loquan and extended his condolences to Loquan’s wife and son.

“To Pat and Evan may God bless you with strength and comfort at this time of loss. Your husband and dad was a good man,” he wrote.

President Christine Kangaloo also issued condolences.

According to the Office of the President, Loquan was a true patriot.

“His selfless dedication to the development of our nation’s energy sector and culture, particularly in the realm of steelpan, has left an indelible mark on our country. In 2024, Mr Loquan was awarded our nation’s highest honour, the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (ORTT) for his remarkable contributions to Trinidad and Tobago. May his legacy continue to inspire, and may his loved ones find strength during this difficult time.

Rest in peace, Mark Loquan. Your work and spirit will forever resonate within the heart of our nation,” the President’s Office stated.

The NGC also extended condolences.

 “Mr. Loquan served with distinction from 2016 to 2024, leaving a legacy of leadership and devotion to country and culture, especially the steelpan fraternity he passionately supported. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and all whose lives he touched,” NGC stated.

The Energy Chamber said Loquan’s expertise and dedication to the energy sector were invaluable to both the companies he led and the industry as a whole.

Loquan was a chemical engineer whose career spanned over 35 years in the petrochemical industry.

He earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering with First Class Honours from the University of the West Indies, St Augustine, and a Master of Business Administration from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.

Loquan began his career in 1982 as a Process Engineer at Trinidad Nitrogen Co. Ltd., advancing through various leadership positions. In 2002, he became the first local President of Hydro Agri Trinidad which is now Known as Yara Trinidad Ltd. He later served as President of Upstream Business Development for Angola and Sub-Saharan Africa at Yara International and as CEO of Yara Pilbara in Australia.

In September 2016, Loquan was appointed President of NGC.