By Sue-Ann Wayow
FORMER minister of energy Stuart Young should be ashamed of himself for breaking a promise to disclose the full details of the Niquan report to the family of Allanlane Ramkissoon who died as a result of an explosion at their facility.
Attorney Anand Ramlogan, SC, on Wednesday said, “Stuart Young should hang his head in shame for breaking his promise to this poor family. He promised to disclose this report and then backpedalled on it when the public outrage died down because he probably thought she could not afford to sue him to get it. It is the height of political hypocrisy and contempt for the grieving children and family.”
Ramlogan instead commended Energy Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal for laying in Parliament the report almost two years after Ramkissoon’s death.
The report was laid on Wednesday.
He said, “We are happy that Minister Moonilal has seen it fit to disclose the investigative report. It is a travesty of justice that the PNM administration chose to hide it and a young widow had to sue in order to get it after several public statements that it will be disclosed upon completion of the investigation.”
Ramlogan also said Young did not need Niquan’s permission to do the right thing and obviously Niquan Energy Trinidad Ltd (NELT) would have objected to the report being made public as it would have revealed the company’s flaws and negligence.
He said the public perception that the People’s National Movement (PNM) was protecting Niquan has left an indelible mark and was consistent with protecting the rich and powerful to the detriment of the poor.
“A struggling mother of two young children was forced into a legal battle for justice against a minister who lacked compassion and courage to do the right thing,” Ramlogan said.
He added, “We look forward to receiving this report so that we can sue Niquan for negligence as it was insured at the material time.”
Earlier this month, Justice Avason Quinlan-Williams upheld a judicial review lawsuit brought by former Massy Energy Engineered Solutions Limited (MEES) plant fitter Ramkissoon’s widow, Sarah, against the then-Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries. Ramlogan had represented her in the case.
It was ruled that the ministry acted unlawfully by not revealing the details of the report which was dated October 2, 2023.
Up until June 8, Young defended the decision to not reveal the report stating Niquan was against the disclosure.
