However, in an interview with the Trinidad Express, she explained that while she has advised her ministerial colleague to clear up the issue she does not have jurisdiction to instruct the board or management on the matter.
She said the board merely advised her of the outstanding money as a "matter of courtesy".
She told the paper, "Let's be clear. I cannot instruct the board on any issue, so I told them to do what they normally do to recover the money from any dealer", adding that as far as she know the debt is several years old.
Seepersad-Bachan said a final letter demanding settlement was sent to the gas station, although she was not sure when the letter went out. However she said her understanding is that the owners queried the amount owed and now the two parties are trying to resolve the dispute over the final figure.
There is an issue of a malfunctioning gauge called a Veeder-Root gas meter, which measures the volume of fuel delivered and sold at the service station.
The Minister said a meter was installed and maintained by NP at the service station and if there were any discrepancies between the deliveries and the sales, the service station has a right to query the issue.
The Express said it spoke with Bobby Ramlochan, acting chief executive officer at NP, who said the Veeder-Root system is now being compared to the "dip" check logs to help balance the discrepancy in figures.
He told the paper that the discrepancy went on for six years and was only discovered in an audit carried out by the new board.
The paper said Ramlochan explained that the matter is one for the board and management. "This should not have even reached to the Minister. She has no authority to instruct the board to do anything about collecting payments," he said.
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