By Faith Edwards
PRIME Minister Stuart Young is urging citizens to be wary of those opposing progress, especially when it comes to the Dragon gas project.
Speaking at the People’s National Movement Public Meeting in Point Fortin, Tuesday night, Young defended the work of the PNM government in pursuing the Dragon gas deal and called out those celebrating recent setbacks.
Paid political ad
“I want to warn Trinidad and Tobago to look closely and carefully at the behavior of people who don’t want what is better for Trinidad and Tobago.” He added, “Dragon gas is better.”
He said the project began in 2016 and by 2018, a term sheet had been negotiated. However, in 2019, the United States sanctions on Venezuela halted the deal.
“Who was it that rejoiced then? Who was happy? The same headline you’re seeing now ‘Dragon Dead’ is the same one they used back in 2019. But it wasn’t dead,” he said.
Young said it was himself and Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley who found a way back into the halls of decision-making in Washington, DC in 2022, resulting in licenses being granted for both the Dragon and Coquina Manakin gas fields. He noted that Venezuela also granted long-term licenses—30 years for Dragon and 20 years for Coquina Manakin.
Young reaffirmed his commitment to the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.
“I stand here tonight and give you my commitment. You give me the mandate, and I will continue to fight for our children and for Trinidad and Tobago,” he said.
He said, “We will fight. We will fight for what is right.”
Young dismissed claims that the government had placed all its hopes in the Dragon gas deal.
“There is no need to be nervous or anxious. They like to sell a story that all the eggs are in the Dragon basket. Not true.”
He said while the United National Congress (UNC) failed to negotiate any gas supply contracts between 2010 and 2015, the PNM had secured multiple projects over the last five years.
Referring to a BP project approved in 2022, he said it took over two years to start gas production.
BP approved the Cypre gas project in late 2022, located about 78 kilometers off the southeast coast of Trinidad in the East Mayaro Block. The project includes seven wells connected to BP’s existing Juniper platform.
Young added, “In La Brea, they just finished building the infrastructure and fabricating for Mentor, which was Energy Oil and Gas Business (EOGB) bp.”
“You’ve seen me explain this before. These things take time,” he said.
Young referenced the near closure of Trinidad Offshore Fabricators Unlimited (TOFCO) following statements from trade union leader Ancel Roget ‘take your ring and go’ but said the government fought to keep the company active.
He said, “As that platform sailed out, immediately, they fabricated the largest infrastructure ever done in Trinidad and Tobago for Manatee, Manatee is coming in 2027. I met with Shell head globally of gas a few days ago and we have plans for that.”
Young said, “It is all about timing, you have to do the work, then you make your announcement when it is real and when it happens, not like them on the other side making promises they could never deliver.”
