00:00TNTech's rebate program has come under review, with TNTech expending tens of millions on the cashback program, which benefits a
00:09handful of the population.
00:11It's a balancing act in terms of providing for the most vulnerable in our society, but also understanding the maths.
00:21If there are 170 persons benefiting from this with an expenditure of over $60 million, obviously it tells you that
00:30there is a need for review.
00:32I am not saying that we are eliminating it, that is not the government policy at this time, but obviously
00:37there must be an element of review in terms of value for money,
00:40and this type of expenditure.
00:43So you think that the government may be looking at this program and the feasibility of continuing it in the
00:49future?
00:50Well, member, if you can't put 170 persons and juxtapose that against the expenditure of over $60 million, then something
00:59is wrong.
01:00This as the Ministry of Public Utilities seeks ways to put a dent in the Commission's debt to the National
01:06Gas Company.
01:07The bill that was left to us between TNTech and NGC was close to $9 billion, and therefore, in this
01:16instance, a lot of this type of approach continues.
01:21However, it is my intention to work with Ministry of Finance and others to have, this is just one example
01:30of the continued burden the state continues to carry.
01:33Minister Padaroth reports that the debt to NGC is now in the vicinity of $10 billion owed for natural gas
01:41supplies used to generate electricity.
01:44What is the government's intention to relieve TNTech?
01:50And I accept it is a long, outstanding problem that you face as a government.
01:54But to relieve TNTech of that outstanding bill, which is now about $10 billion, to NGC for the gas.
02:04Chairman, I can assure the member for Port of Spain, North St. Dan's West, it's an active discussion that has
02:10been happening.
02:11There are some negotiations that we are actively discussing with NGC, and therefore, more will be said at the appropriate
02:19time.
02:19But I can't give the assurance to the national community that it is something on our radar.
02:24Budget 2027 introduced a 5 cent per kilowatt hour surcharge for high usage households effective January 1st, 2027.
02:34But there is no decision at this time, as it relates to state facilities.
02:39Are those rates, sorry, part of the increase, that increased rates that the Minister of Finance announced in the budget,
02:48will they be affected by that increase?
02:50Because it's going to be over 3,000 kilowatts.
02:55Yes.
02:57Mr. Chairman, that is a discussion that we are having with the Ministry of Finance.
03:04Renasa Cutting, TV6 News.
03:09Renasa Cutting, TV6 News.
