Energy Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal has defended his handling of the distribution of oil lease approvals.
He faced questions from the Opposition on his approval of T. N. Ramnath and Company Limited, but rejected allegations of favouritism while turning the focus on his predecessor.
Dr Moonilal said former Energy Minister Stuart Young approved five of six oil leases in four days in 2021 saying he needed to make inquiries about the sixth company.
“Mr Speaker, when I asked the Legal Department whether the Minister made any inquiries or raised this matter, the answer was a categorical ‘no,’” he said.
“He signed—you have to sign in duplicate—he signed one and refused the sign the next one. This is the only sub-license where two Ministers of Energy have signed.”
