Petrotrin employee Vidya Deokiesingh resigned from the Lake Asphalt Board earlier this week, Energy Minister Franklin Khan confirmed yesterday.
Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley last Friday said Deokiesingh had signalled his intention to resign from the LATT board and he expected the resignation shortly. Khan confirmed its been received.
This followed Petrotrin’s August internal audit report over January to June 2017 which alleged volume discrepancies occurred, causing under-supply by, and overpayment to a private operator.
A Petrotrin employee was allegedly involved.
Petrotrin presented a final report on the issue to Khan last Thursday. This is expected to be perused by Cabinet today.
Deokiesingh didn’t immediately reply to calls yesterday.
Sources yesterday claimed Deokiesingh had come gone in to Petrotrin recently after the issue broke, submitted leave application and “disappeared.”
Petrotrin president Fitzroy Harewood was said to be in a meeting and other officials could not verify if Deokiesingh was on duty in the capacity he had held—or if the situation had changed in any way.
An official Petrotrin response last night stated the company could not comment on queries over whether he had been suspended or not, since investigations were ongoing.
Yesterday, Opposition MP Dr Suruj Rambachan called on Government to make the Petrotrin report the “number one item” for discussion at today’s Cabinet meeting and to issue a subsequent statement on speedy resolution.
He added: “It should be discussed as a priority item with a view to action of some sort. From what’s known so far, the report contains very scary allegations.
“If Government is serious about being viewed as an anti-corruption administration, they should leave no stone unturned in pursuing proper resolution. It should be dealt with, with the same speed the ferry service report was.”