FORMER energy minister Stuart Young has credited the People's National Movement with laying the foundation for the Government's success with the Manakin-Coucina gas project.Young called on the United National Congress (UNC) administration not to try to mislead the population, asserting that its claims to success of the project were 'complete hogwash'.He was speaking at a news conference at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, Port of Spain, and commenting on the announcement that the National Gas Company (NGC) had signed agreements with BP Trinidad and Tobago LLC (bpTT) to acquire a 20% participating interest in the Block 5(b) Production Sharing Contract (PSC), within which the Manakin field is situated. The announcement was made by Persad-Bissessar at the Diplomatic Centre on Monday.Young said yesterday, the Government had given the impression that it came up with the concept in the last 15 months. He recalled steps taken by the PNM administration to secure the project, including Cabinet's approval so that BP could secure Repsol's 30% ownership of the field. Young said delays to the progress of the project were caused in part by US sanctions on Venezuela, which owns 33% and noted that the field could not utilised without agreement by all sides. Further delays were caused the revocation of the OFAC licence, he said.He refuted any claims by 'incompetent' chairman of the NGC Gerald Ramdeen that the PNM never went across the value chain in securing the project. Stating the Government was benefiting from PNM policy and cautioning against 'plagiarism', Young said the Cocuina project was now T&T's 'hope' and 'they had nothing to do with it'.Young cited several firsts for the country through the negotiations of the previous government, including certain cargo prices and work to secure a 30-year licence.He said the Government was leaving it up to BP and Shell to go out and secure the projects.Young expressed concern that the Government has not shown itself to be at the negotiating table, and expressed concern at its competence in such matters.PNM welcomes positive developments Young also commented on the announcement of the reopening of the Point Lisas steel mill, which was announced on Monday by United States Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Mediterranean Drive, Point Lisas Industrial Estate, Couva.Young said the project was 'something we welcome' and would be a 'positive' development for Trinidad and Tobago. However, the former prime minister said 'we have been told nothing', and questions were asked about some of the companies involved and who is behind them. Young asked for details including tax concessions and moratoriums. He raised a concern that T&T does not possess the raw materials to run the steel mill, asking whether waivers were made in import and export duties.Young said the Government has not stated where the gas will be coming from, and how many molecules will be needed.Further, Young said the former steel mill was the country's single larg-nYoung est user of electricity. He asked whether electricity for the reopened facility would be offered at the proper commercial rate or subsidised, the latter therefore involving the use of taxpayer money.Young quipped that the 'devil is in the details', such as the terms for reopening the steel mill.He said the Opposition was happy to see the US' support of the development, which gave some level of reassurance. He stressed, however, this did not take away the need for accountability. Young recalled that proposed projects under the former PNM government, including the Sandals project, had undergone calls for details 'every time there was an announcement for an MoU'.Stating 'don't hold your breath', he said the population deserves answers. He said more must be shown than the cutting of ribbons and signing of MoUs, asking what the revenue would be for T&T.Young called on the Government to engage with the Steel Workers Union of Trinidad and Tobago. He recalled that many former steel workers had lost their jobs, and urged that workers rights be protected.PM to Young: Find peace Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, in response, urged former Young to stop being angry and find peace.Said Persad-Bissessar: 'Stuart has become such a dismal person. Many years ago I told him to stop being angry at everyone and everything or else it will overwhelm him. He's still young enough to create a better plan for his future, I hope he eventually takes my advice and finds some peace.'She added: 'The policy is simple, we make decisions to maximise our energy sector revenues and profits to benefit our citizens. That is the primary principle behind our decisions.'