00:00Energy Minister Dr. Rolal Munilal says the National Gas Company, the NGC, has made every effort to secure the continued
00:07operation of the PCS nitrogen complex to the point of making an offer to purchase the complex.
00:14Dr. Munilal said in a statement, this is an important asset and its restart is a priority for the government,
00:20whether with nutrient or a new operator.
00:24This was the Energy Minister's response to the announcement by Canada-based Nutrien Limited that it will indefinitely shut down
00:31its Trinidad nitrogen operations at the Point Lisa's facility following an extensive review of strategic alternatives and engagement with relevant
00:40stakeholders.
00:41In a statement on Monday, October 5, 2026, Nutrien said that due to ongoing natural gas constraints and uncertainty, this
00:50was determined to be the optimal path to enhance free cash flow and return on invested capital.
00:57However, Dr. Munilal said, quote, the decision of Nutrien is one driven not by the shortage of gas supply, but
01:04by their desire to extract a margin that is suitable to their shareholders.
01:09The government is compelled to act in the best interest of their shareholders, the citizens of the Republic of Trinidad
01:16and Tobago, end quote.
01:17Opposition MP and former Energy Minister Stuart Young said in a statement that Nutrien's decision to shut down its Trinidad
01:25nitrogen operations at the Point Lisa's facility was, quote,
01:29confirmation of the reality of the incompetence of the UNC in managing our delicate and important energy sector, end quote.
01:37MP Young added that this is a loss of foreign exchange, massive loss of jobs, not only at the plants,
01:43but at all associated service providers as well.
01:46And unfortunately, bad news for all of Trinidad and Tobago.
01:50Nutrien recalled it previously implemented a controlled shutdown of the facility on October 23, 2025, in response to what it
01:59then identified as port access restrictions and a lack of reliable and economic natural gas supply that reduced the free
02:07cash flow contribution of the Trinidad nitrogen operations over an extended period of time.
02:13Dr. Munilad said that at all material times, the National Gas Company has engaged with Nutrien in good faith.
02:20The Energy Minister said Nutrien were invited to engage with the NGC for the supply of gas to the facility,
02:26but refused to accept that invitation.
02:29As he emphasized, quote,
02:34Dr. Munilad said that in some cases, there are citizens who gave their entire professional career and adult lives to
02:44Nutrien, end quote.
02:45MP Young said, quote,
03:06Energy Minister Munilad said the government has also taken note of, quote,
03:10quote, the continuing depth of hypocrisy spun by the former Minister Stuart Young, end quote.
03:16The Energy Minister said he wished to remind MP Young, quote,
03:19of the perfora of plant closures under his administration that stuck a dagger in the heart of the energy sector,
03:26end quote.
03:27Jewel Brown, TV6 News.
03:29Jewel Brown, TV6 News.
