Energy Minister Franklin Khan returned to the Senate yesterday saying he was standing by the grace of God. Khan was away from work for three months after falling ill, ironically, while on holiday in Thailand last December.
As he commenced his contribution to yesterday’s Senate debate on a Government motion to provide for T&T’s membership in the Andean Development Corporation and for the raising of loans from the bank, Khan said he wanted to thank all, including ordinary citizens of this country for their support during his illness.
Khan said while abroad with his wife he “became gravely ill” and “was hospitalised for 12 days because of a cardiac event.” He said on his return home, further tests were done and revealed that he needed immediate by-pass surgery, which was done on January 9 in T&T.
“After three months, here am I standing by the grace of God,” he added to desk-thumping from all senators. He said he was cleared by his doctors to return to work since last month but on the instructions of Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, he took a further two weeks leave.
Khan thanked the PM, his doctors, wife and family and Cabinet colleagues and ordinary citizens for their support . He said the health system in Thailand was first class and he was happy to have successfully had surgery in T&T.
Opposition and Independent Senators welcomed Khan back to the Senate after his absence.
Under the legislation, when approved, Government will be able to borrow millions for development projects in the country.
Khan dismissed claims by Independent Senator Taurel Shrikissoon that further borrowing could increase the country debt. Khan said the Government would manage the economy prudently. He said the greatest problem facing the energy sector was the issue of gas curtailment. Khan said he intends to do all he can to ensure the country’s oil and gas production are increased in the shortest possible time.
He said from next week he will meet with oil producing companies to ensure oil production be increased to 100,000 barrels a day in T&T.
Khan said he will be meeting with BP, Parenco Oil and Gas, which now owns Repsol .
Opposition Senator Gerald Ramdeen, in his contribution, raised a concern involving the former Repsol and Mora Holding Ltd. He read a letter written to the permanent secretary in the Energy Ministry
He said the local company had over 200 million barrels “of oil off the east coast that Repsol is taking advantage of.” He said that matter was also told to the former energy minister . He said the request for measures to be taken to prevent Repsol from seeking to “stifle the development of the (local) company.” Khan later told the Senate that he was recently made aware of the matter and would address it shortly.
