00:00The Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission says it can confirm that a protected list does in fact exist which protects
00:07certain named customers from disconnection for outstanding arrears in accordance with the normal practice and procedure which would otherwise be
00:16applicable to ordinary customers.
00:19TNTech said that originally this list was intended to protect important public institutions such as government ministries and departments, state
00:28enterprises and other public authorities and foreign embassies.
00:33However, TNTech further said, quote, during the period 2015-2025 this list was expanded to include certain government ministers, members
00:43of parliament and companies from the private sector.
00:46Unfortunately, there is no published policy, procedure or criteria pertaining to the protected list.
00:53There is no documentation or record as to how the individuals and private companies who now appear on the list
00:59were added to it.
01:00There is no board minute pertaining to same, end quote.
01:05TNTech issued its statement two days after Prime Minister Kamala Passat-Basasa spoke about the matter in the parliament on
01:10Monday in reference to the former PNM administration,
01:14including some of those who belonged to the then cabinet.
01:17People's national movement, Tobago Council, when I read it, I thought, hey, maybe this is the THA.
01:24No, no, no, this is the PNM Tobago Council on a protective list, not to cut the bills, not to
01:31cut electricity, even though they had not paid their bills.
01:42The first opposition MP to respond was Senior Counsel Keith Scotland, who was a member of the 2015-2025 administration,
01:51as he fielded questions from the media about the Prime Minister's statement,
01:55which first focused on TNTech's legal efforts to recover a debt owed to it by Flavorite Foods Limited.
02:02I knew nothing about any secret list. It was, it is something that comes as a surprise to me, and
02:13that's all I would say.
02:15I noticed my name was not on it, but my name featured very prominently in this statement made by the
02:20Honorable Prime Minister.
02:22And as prominent as it was made, I will defend it with the prominence that it deserves.
02:27Former Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley, who led the 2015-2025 PNM administration, issued a statement on Facebook in which
02:35he said he was unaware of being on any list at TNTech,
02:39that he pays all of his electricity bills as and when they become due at properties in Trinidad and Tobago,
02:46and that holds good for his wife as well.
02:49Dr. Rowley further said he had never requested nor was offered any protection from TNTech billing operations.
02:55Similar statements were made by other members of the Cabinet, which was led by Dr. Rowley, including Opposition Leader Penelope
03:02Beckles,
03:03who said on Tuesday that her utility bills have always been paid on time, therefore she has never had any
03:10need for a protected list.
03:12Opposition Leader Beckles also said that she has no knowledge of such a list, should even one exist at TNTech.
03:18However, as TNTech said on Wednesday that there is a protected list, it also said it has taken careful note
03:25of the strong public sentiment expressed about it.
03:28TNTech said it has sought legal advice on this matter and will be guided by SAIM as the President may
03:34be required to act on the advice of the Cabinet.
03:38Jewel Brown, TV6 News.
03:40Jewel Brown, TV6 News.
03:42Jewel Brown, TV6 News.
03:43Jewel Brown, TV6 News.
03:43Jewel Brown, TV6 News.
03:44Jewel Brown, TV6 News.
03:44Jewel Brown, TV6 News.
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