Shake up at the National Gas Company.

The new board of NGC has sent home president Indar Maharaj and three managers—Charmaine Mohamed, Cheryl Boodoosingh and Nazim Sarjad.

The four have been sent on leave with immediate effect.

The move comes amid what NGC describes as a “significant and precipitous decline” in the company’s performance.

Ms. Mohamed is Corporate Communications Manager, Ms. Boodoosingh is Procurement and Contracts Manager and Mr. Sarjad is Manager of Construction Services at the state-owned company.

The decision to send them on leave was taken by the recently installed Gerry Brooks-led board of directors.

A brief statement from NGC yesterday said the decision is consistent with international best practice, given the significant and precipitous decline in the company’s performance in the last two years.

It said a financial audit will commence shortly and a reputable international financial firm has also been retained to conduct other specific audits.

The board said it is committed to ensuring proper corporate governance, cognisant of NGC’s strategic and commercial importance to the future development of the natural gas-based sector and the economy of Trinidad and Tobago.

The board also said it wants to make the appropriate interventions to realise the full potential of NGC.”

Communications Minister Maxie Cuffie yesterday announced the formation of a standing committee on energy, to be chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley.

Also on the committee are former UTT chairman Professor Ken Julien and for head of Petrotrin Malcolm Jones.

Minister Cuffie defended the decision to utilise the services of the two men.

He also said there is a standing committee on physical infrastructure to be chaired by the Prime Minister.

(News Center 5)