A series of lucrative consultancy agreements within Trinidad and Tobago’s state energy sector have drawn attention following revelations of substantial payments to individuals with political connections. Documents obtained by media outlets reveal three high-profile contracts totaling millions in public funds.
Watson Duke, former Public Services Association head turned politician, secured a $40,000 monthly consultancy with The National Gas Company (NGC) commencing December 2025. The one-year contract tasks Duke with streamlining workforce rationalization, organizational restructuring, and providing strategic human resources guidance. His qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Relations from The University of the West Indies.
Simultaneously, former Tobago House of Assembly finance secretary Joel Jack was engaged by Trinidad Petroleum Holdings Ltd (TPHL) as a Consultant Specialist Adviser at $70,000 monthly from November 2024. Jack’s comprehensive mandate includes reviewing TPHL’s operational framework, evaluating asset monetization opportunities, and overseeing the winding up of former state oil company Petrotrin. His appointment came shortly before President Christine Kangaloo named him to the Central Bank board in September 2024.
Most notably, former news anchor and senior political adviser Shelly Dass—spouse of former PNM minister Brian Manning—received multiple contract extensions from the National Energy Corporation totaling TT$1.7 million. Initially hired in December 2021 at US$125 hourly with guaranteed minimum monthly hours, her consultancy was repeatedly extended through May 2025. Her role expanded significantly to include diplomatic engagement with government officials in Trinidad and Suriname, with guaranteed monthly hours increasing from 40 to 58 during the contract period.
When contacted for comment, Dass confirmed her consultancy underwent “an intense independent vetting process” and referenced her “background in international work.” Neither Duke nor Jack responded to requests for comment regarding their appointments.
The contracts reveal pattern of substantial expenditures on external consultants within the state energy sector, raising questions about procurement processes and the allocation of public resources to individuals with political affiliations.