Honouring Loquan: A life in energy and pan

Few individuals leave a legacy in both the engine of a nation’s economy and the cadence of its culture—but Mark Edward Loquan, who shaped Trinidad and Tobago’s energy sector and championed its national instrument, did just that. And on Republic Day, September 24, 2024, Loquan was bestowed with the country’s highest award for his contributions to both. Loquan was the first of 62 honourees to receive an award at the national ceremony held that night at President’s House.

He received the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in the Sphere of National Service: Energy and Steelpan Innovation. His citation read: “For over two decades, Mr Mark Loquan has been a highly respected senior leader in the Trinidad and Tobago energy sector and has made huge contributions to the industry through both his direct professional career at Yara and the National Gas Company, and his contribution to wider initiatives and development. “Throughout the steelpan and music industry, Mr Loquan is universally known and loved.



His presence is felt globally as an award-winning music composer, songwriter, and documentary filmmaker. Mr Loquan creates without thought for profit.” President Christine Kangaloo and her husband, Kerwyn Garcia, stepped down from the stage to place the country’s highest award over Mark Loquan’s head as he sat in a wheelchair at the front.

Loquan cried. In what would be his final national awards ceremony as prime minister, Dr Keith Rowley, along with his wife Sharon, and Chief Justice Ivor Archie and his wife Denise, each descended the stage one by one to honour Loquan. The night before Loquan accepted the award, the Express—having received the list of national awardees from the Office of the President—reached out to him for comment.

His wife, Patricia Loquan, told the Express that her husband was resting. “He is deeply honoured to be recognised for his contributions in the best interests of national development in the energy sector and in the development of sustainability for our national instrument, the steelpan,” Patricia said. For many, that award was the culmination of years of work by Loquan.

The beginning Loquan was born on October 13, 1960. “From his childhood in Petit Valley, a neighbourhood resonating with family melodies, to his academic sojourn through St Mary’s College, University of the West Indies, and Duke University Fuqua School of Business, Mark’s path was paved with notes of learning and musical exploration,” Loquan’s website states. Loquan, a chemical engineer by profession, is widely recognised for his eight-year tenure as president of the National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago.

In a surprise announcement to many, the National Gas Company revealed on January 18 of the previous year that Loquan would not renew his contract with the wholly state-owned company, and that his tenure as president would conclude on August 31, 2024. “Over the next few months, as the company begins the executive search for a successor, Mark will continue to work with the board and leadership team to execute NGC’s strategic plan. Once a successor is named, he will work with the new president to ensure a smooth transition,” the January 18 release stated.

On February 23, the advertisement for the NGC president position was posted. Loquan was eventually diagnosed with brain cancer and underwent treatment. In June, when Loquan went on leave, NGC’s substantive vice-president, Legal and Corporate Affairs Edmund Subryan was named acting president.

At a press conference on December 12, NGC chairman Dr Joseph Ishmael Khan announced that the recruitment exercise would have to resume this year. Energy Minister Stuart Young, before assuming the role of Prime Minister, explained that the decision was necessary because the first round of the selection process had failed to identify a suitable candidate to succeed Loquan. “But that is what it is; there is nothing more to it than that.

The obvious successor, the obvious person to take over did not come in that first go-around, which is not an unusual thing, especially when you are trying to recruit in the State sector,” he said. To date the NGC still has been unable to find a successor for Loquan. Loquan served on the Energy Chamber’s board from 2016 to 2022—the maximum term allowed—during which he led its pioneering Decarbonisation Task Force.

The Energy Chamber stated: “For over two decades Mark Loquan has been a highly respected senior leader in the Trinidad and Tobago energy sector and has made huge contributions to the industry through both his direct professional career at Yara Trinidad Ltd and the National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (NGC) and his contribution to wider industry initiatives and developments. His leadership of industry initiatives has led to the creation of a strong industry-wide safety culture in Trinidad and Tobago and to significant new appreciation and commitment to decarbonisation and the creation of a more sustainable energy industry. He has helped create a sense of common purpose across the energy value chain, from upstream operators through the petrochemical producers, and throughout the supply chain.

He has championed the development of skills, concerns for the environment, the export of energy services and the recognition of the importance of community engagement.” Loquan was the president of Yara Trinidad Ltd from 2003 to 2008. In 2009, Loquan became president of Upstream Business Development for Angola/SubSaharan Africa at Yara International and in 2012, he was named the CEO of Yara Pilbara in Australia.

Music lover But Loquan was not defined by energy alone. He had a multifaceted mind. Loquan always harboured a deep love and appreciation for music.

A trained guitarist, he only started playing the pan in his early 30s. He called his introduction to applying rubber to steel “a life-changing experience”. “I went to do my MBA (at Fuqua School of Business at Duke University, North Carolina, USA) and came back realising I don’t know anything about my own national instrument.

Learning to play pan with Curtis Pierre at Silver Stars was an eye-opening experience,” he said. “In the bustling life of Mark Loquan, a chemical engineer, music composer and songwriter, the harmonious echoes of steelpan notes intertwine with his daily pursuits. With 25 years of composing for Panorama and Soca, Mark’s devotion to the craft remains unwavering, just as his dedication to learning when he first picked up mallets under the expert tutelage of Michael ‘Manish’ Robinson,” states his website, Mark Loquan Music.

The website further states: “Diving into the symphony of his compositions, there are almost 40 so far for steelpan alone. Thirty-four pieces have made it to the Panorama stage across all band sizes, including secondary schools’ junior Panorama. Mark’s melodies come alive in tunes like ‘Pan Kingdom’, a composition coalescing his colourful mind with the lyrical prowess of Gregory ‘GB’ Ballantyne and the vocals of Anslem Douglas, accompanied by the steelpan magic of Mia Gormandy.

‘Rhythm Run Tings’, another sonic sensation, was a collaborative masterpiece with Seion Gomez, brought to life by the voice of Kernal Roberts. These auditory gems from Loquan’s creative mind were skillfully produced under the guidance of Junior Ibo Joseph.” But his composing pride and joy remains “Colours Again”, with lyrics by Keron Boodoosingh, Joel “Zan” Feveck, and arranged by Junior “Ibo” Joseph, sung by Destra Garcia.

“It’s evergreen,” Loquan said about it. “Mark’s journey meandered across continents, and his role as the musical director of Perth Pandemix, Australia’s premier steelband, marked a notable chapter. His impact reverberates through numerous musical ventures, from the groundbreaking Passion for Pan album (2000) to the educational contribution of the Pan In Education series,” his website states.

Loquan’s music and filmmaking has won awards locally and internationally, including COTT Pan Song of the Year and International Soca Awards. His music has been performed by winning bands in Pan is Beautiful 1998 (Ensemble Category), by Small and Medium Band in the National Panorama competition, and by primary and secondary school Junior Panorama bands over the years. Loquan has produced or co-produced works such as the Passion for Pan album (2000), and the pioneering products of Pan In Education (2004), and Pan in Education 2 (2011).

Mark is also the honourary founding director of the Music Literacy Trust, a not-for-profit organisation established in 2004 which has assisted several young, talented pannists in education with scholarships, preserved the music of cultural steelpan icons, and helped to introduce music education programmes for youth. Loquan’s A Better Tomorrow documentary series spotlights everyday folks doing extraordinary things in pan, and how their work impacts the wider society. The latest instalment, Panyard Universe, an insightful and inspiring 50-minute documentary on the trailblazing Siparia Deltones Steel Orchestra, premiered last July at MovieTowne, Invader’s Bay, Port of Spain.

“The goal for A Better Tomorrow is to shine light on people’s journeys in the pan world—showing that the people we see are a culmination of challenges overcome, experience gained, and knowledge being transferred to benefit or inspire others,” a passionate Loquan told the Express in one of his last interviews..