A report on the explosion revealed that safety concerns were raised as early as January 2003, when a safety report warned that if certain procedures were not followed, the consequences could be fatal.

In February 2005, it was found that the sensors responsible for detecting dangerously high levels of vapours were defective.

Numerous memos advising of safety violations continued to be ignored until NFM employees Wendell Blenman and Sunil Persad were killed as a result of the explosion.

One memo dated April 23, 2003 addressed to “All Managers” reminded “for the umpteenth time” that managers had a responsibility to take the lead in managing safety within the company.

That memo noted that in one instance, three employees on two different occasions suffered injuries due to an unsafe condition that had been identified, but ignored.

The same memo also noted that there were two fires that were a direct result of “non-adherence” to safety rules.

A report on investigations conducted after the explosion states that the sensors, which should have been serviced on a monthly basis, had not been serviced since February 3, 2005.

The report also noted a “recorded history of negligence by the management team at the Edible Oils Complex in responding in a timely manner to the servicing and calibrating of sensors”.

The NFM silos on Wrightson Road, Port of Spain.

There was also some speculation that the company’s present search for a new Chief Executive Officer could have been part of the fallout from the explosion.

However, NFM Communications Specialist Donna Cox revealed that the former CEO Michael Potella had resigned the position in September, approximately one month before the explosion.

Cox confirmed that there are plans to appoint a CEO soon, and Hollick Rajkumar at HRC Consultants is conducting interviews.

TnT Mirror has since learned that former Works Minister Jearlean John has been tipped to take up the post soon.

John, who served under the United National Congress (UNC) Government, and is currently CEO of Pizza Boys Restaurants, has a reputation as a “tough-as-nails” administrator who insists on thoroughness.