Jones silent on $70,000 pay

Malcolm Jones declined comment yesterday on the Minister of Energy’s statement in the Senate on Tuesday that he was earning a salary of $70,000 a month as executive chairman of State-owned Petrotrin, plus perks such as a car, housing and other allowances including bonuses.

Jones’ personal secretary told Newsday that the chairman had left the message for all callers that he was offering no comment on the revelation in the Senate by Energy Minister Eric Williams. The Petrotrin board met yesterday for its monthly meeting and Newsday learned that chairman Jones did not raise the matter. No other member of the board commented on the salary at yesterday’s meeting and according to sources close to some board members, no views were expressed regarding the salary Jones receives.

The board meeting lasted almost all day yesterday with members dealing with routine matters. Among those were reports from finance and tender committees. The board also dealt with plans for strategic operation of the Pointe-a-Pierre oil refinery. The board, following the removal of three directors this week now comprises Jones (Chairman); Harry Prithesingh, Garvin Chemin, Dr Eddy Khoury, Jose Perez, Charmaine Baptiste and Anthony Chan. One member Emile Elias resigned on April 17 and two others, Farad Chan and Helena Innis-King were removed from the Board.