AZP News Commentary
THE Trump administration’s recent revocation of US licenses for Trinidad and Tobago’s Dragon and Manakin-Cocuina gas projects marks a significant setback for the nation’s energy ambitions.
These licenses, previously granted by the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), had allowed Trinidad to collaborate with Venezuela on offshore natural gas projects, despite existing US. sanctions on Venezuela.
The cancellation disrupts plans to boost Trinidad’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply, crucial due to declining domestic reserves.
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Prime Minister Stuart Young expressed disappointment over the US decision, noting that it has destroyed any relationships to Venezuela related to the projects. He indicated that Trinidad is seeking discussions with U.S. officials to address the license cancellations and their implications for the country’s energy sector. Dr Rowley had stated previously that if we didn’t get this project going, that we as a country would be in dire straits, where he said our “coo coo cooked”, meaning the end of us financially. So we see failure after failure.
Beyond the energy sector, residents of Chaguanas West continue to face challenges with infrastructure and public services. Issues such as deteriorating roads, clogged drains, crime and poorly maintained public spaces persist, affecting the quality of life in the constituency. Despite promises of infrastructure upgrades across Trinidad, tangible improvements in Chaguanas West remain unseen for the last 10 years.
Addressing these concerns requires more than empty promises, the time is now as it requires a change in leadership. It is imperative that citizens across Trinidad and Tobago recognise that the PNM, under Stuart Young’s stewardship, has failed us both in managing the country’s critical energy interests and in providing basic services to our communities. From the collapse of the Dragon Gas Deal to the disgraceful neglect of roads, drains, and public spaces in places like Chaguanas West and across the country, the evidence is clear. It is time to put the United National Congress (UNC) in power, a party that understands the needs of the people and is ready to deliver real solutions for a better Trinidad and Tobago.
Neil Gosine is an insurance executive and the current candidate of the United National Congress (UNC) for Chaguanas West in the April 28, 2025, general elections. He is also an ex-treasurer of the UNC and a former chairman of the National Petroleum Marketing Company of Trinidad and Tobago (NP). He holds a Doctorate in Business Administration, a Master’s in Business Administration MBA, BSC in Mathematics and a BA in Administrative Studies. The views and comments expressed in this column are not necessarily those of AZP News, a Division of Complete Image Limited
