Petrotrin denies employees were demoted

STATE-OWNED Petrotrin denied yesterday that 22 of its senior employees were demoted because of their perceived political connections with the UNC, as alleged in a letter from two prominent attorneys acting on behalf of Opposition MP Kelvin Ramnath. Petrotrin released its own list yesterday in which it indicated that the persons mentioned in the “hit list” continue to remain in executive positions or have been promoted at Petrotrin. “Petrotrin categorically denies that the published list was generated by members of our Board or management. Moreover, the list was never the subject of consideration in any deliberation by the company.” The company stated that the current status of Imtiaz Ali and Asgar Ali-Hosein were that of manager (Planning and Development) and project adviser, (Refinery Maintenance), respectively.

Headed “List of Positions Currently Held,” the company stated in its release: “Errol Baldeo (director, technical (seconded to Ministry of Energy), Robindra Bhujawan (ITT administrator (refinery and marketing support), Shyam Dyal (team leader environment), Donald Gopaul (project leader), Carl Jagdeo (manager workplace and property management), Jamaludin Khan (reserves and assets magnetisation), Keith Narayansingh (manager refinery maintenance), Capildeo Narinesingh (sales manager and promotions), Deborah Persadie-Jones (technical adviser), George Ragoonanan (inspector service supt), Kelvin Ramnath (manager health, safety and environment), Narayan Ramathal (projects and general engineering manager), Seepersad Ramchan (head, materials and services), Basdeo Seeram (team leader, health, safety and environment), Solomon Sinanan (general manager,  engineering and construction), Gary Solomon (engineering manager) and Vijanti Solomon (cost and operational effectiveness adviser). The release stated that Aleem Hosein, who was vice president of Trinmar and Sharma Maharaj who held the post of business support consultant, took VSEP recently. Production manager, Andre Gayadeen, the release stated, took early retirement.