Former Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has denied claims by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar that he and his wife were among individuals placed on a “secret list” at the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC) that prevented disconnection for unpaid bills.
Rowley issued the denial in a Facebook post on Monday, hours after Persad-Bissessar made the allegation during her contribution to the Mid-Year Budget Review in Parliament.
During her presentation, the Prime Minister named several people and entities she claimed were linked to the People’s National Movement (PNM), including Rowley and his wife, Sharon Rowley. She alleged they were on a list of customers whom T&TEC could not disconnect even if they were in default of bill payments.
Responding to the claim, Rowley said he was unaware of any such list and insisted that both he and his wife paid their electricity bills when due.
“I am unaware of being on any list at TTEC. I pay all my electricity bills as and when they become due at properties in Trinidad and Tobago. That holds good for my wife as well,” Rowley wrote.
He added: “I have never requested nor was offered any protection from TTEC billing operations.”
The former prime minister also launched a sharp attack on Persad-Bissessar, accusing her of failing to focus on the country’s affairs.
“For all those who think we have a Prime Minister looking after the serious business of managing the country’s affairs, I have already advised you that what we have is a hateful, dictatorial jammette who wishes to be feared like her mentor,” Rowley wrote.
