PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC)– Trinidad and Tobago former prime minister Stuart Young on Monday blamed the Kamla Persad-Bissessar administration for the decision of Canadian fertiliser giant Nutrien Limited to shut down its Trinidad Nitrogen operations at the Point Lisas Facility in the twin-island republic.

The Canadian company said that it had taken the decision following an extensive review of strategic alternatives and engagement with relevant stakeholders.

“Due to ongoing natural gas constraints and uncertainty, this was determined to be the optimal path to enhance free cash flow and return on invested capital,” Nutrien Ltd said in a statement.

But Young, a former energy minister, said that the closure underscores the “ incompetence” of the ruling United National Congress (UNC) led coalition “in managing our delicate and important energy sector”.

He said that the closure of Nutrien will result in “a loss of foreign exchange, massive loss of jobs, not only at the plants but all associated service providers as well.

“This is unfortunately bad news for all of Trinidad and Tobago,” Young said, noting that the People’s National Movement (PNM) had, during its term in office, “managed the energy sector carefully and expertly during the difficult periods of 2015-2025.

“This is done by balancing needs and supplies as well as ensuring everyone still makes money. The UNC is incapable of negotiating and finding the necessary middle ground needed in tough times. This is the first of more to come, unfortunately, and it is a very sad day for Trinidad and Tobago.”

Young said that there “is not a single new natural gas project that is attributable to the UNC, not one. So next week when they come and try to mislead you in the budget about Manatee, Coconut, Mento, Aphrodite, Ginger, Cassia Phase 2, Matapal and Cocuina/ Manakin, etc., know that not a single one of those is attributable to this UNC government, not one,” he said in a statement, adding that the government “is destroying Trinidad and Tobago whilst selling you fake snake oil promises. Elections have consequences.”

The UNC-led coalition defeated the PNM in the April 2025 general elections after the Keith Rowley administration had been in office for 10 years.

There has been as yet no official statement issued by the government regarding the closure of Nutrient, which, in its statement, said that it had previously implemented a “controlled shutdown” of the facility on October 23, 2025, in response to port access restrictions and a lack of reliable and economic natural gas supply that reduced the free cash flow contribution of the Trinidad Nitrogen operations over an extended period of time.

“We greatly appreciate the contributions and dedication of our Trinidad team and are committed to managing the transition responsibly and safely,” said Dean Perkins, Senior Vice President, Upstream, Nitrogen and Proprietary Product Operations.

Ammonia and urea sales volumes from Nutrien’s Trinidad operations are approximately 85 and 55 thousand tonnes per month, respectively.