Poor excuses have been given for using foreign instead of local expertise in T&T’s energy sector, says Anthony Paul, newly-appointed chairman of the reconstituted Permanent Local Content Committee.
Paul, an energy strategy consultant, was critical of past Energy ministries for “sitting in silence” and allowing that to happen. Speaking during a ceremony for the handing-over of instruments of appointment to members of the committee, Paul said while there is legislation for local content, there are no policies in place and this set a bad precedent.
“Companies found ways and means to circumvent local content,” he said. Paul said foreign operators in T&T keep claiming that locals need to be trained and certified, then retrained and re-certified, “and we have to consult and discuss in the meantime foreigners are coming in and getting jobs.”
The situation got extreme, he said, because there were companies and divers working in T&T for decades, supporting the offshore industry.
“Suddenly they were told you can’t do that unless you are certified to meet North Sea conditions. British companies were brought in to support British companies and local companies were displaced,” he said.
Paul referred to a 1994 treaty signed between T&T and the US to protect the investment in Atlantic LNG’s first train. He said the treaty, which was meant to last for ten years, did not benefit T&T and “yet we are afraid to touch it.”
“Successive ministers have come blowing their horn, waving their flag for local content, only to be shut down with this treaty,” he said.
Paul said there have been energy companies who have offered their expertise internationally and have succeeded. He said there is need for more companies to follow, but it takes political will.
“When British companies come here, Australian companies, Spanish companies, they expand their embassies and diplomatic staff. They bring their service companies. They move as a nation to access opportunities...we have not got that yet,” he said.
Permanent Secretary in the Energy Ministry Selwyn Lashley said the committee’s mandate includes to review current local content and participation policy and framework; ensure adherence to the local content policy; establish a monitoring entity for the energy sector; and review arrangements which are in conflict with local content legislation.
Members
Members of the Permanent Local Content Committee are:
•Anita M Hankey, vice-chairman
•Richard Jobity
•Ernest Esdelle
•Richard Baird
•Thackwray Driver
•Richard Beckles
•Derek Smith
•David Borde
•Dr James Armstrong
•Keith London
•Marla Dukharan
•Michael Raymond
•Marc Sandy
•Carol Bickram
•Kriyaa Balramsingh