FFOS: Hold rig liable for Chaguaramas oil spill

Fishermen and Friends of the Sea (FFOS) secretary Gary Aboud in a statement yesterday called for strict sanctions to be applied to an oil rig which Planning Minister Camille Robinson-Regis recently suggested was the source of the recent Chaguaramas oil spill.

He quoted her as saying on October 17, “It appears as though the oil was spilled was from a rig” and the company was being cooperative.

However Aboud said the two lead agencies investigating the spill, the Environment Management Authority (EMA) and the Institute of Maritime Affairs (IMA) are contradicting the minister saying they still have not identified the culprit.

“What information guided the honourable minister’s revelation, and why this apparent IMA/EMA back-stepping?” Aboud asked.

He said the area has just one rig that is being serviced by an incorporated local company.

“According to the rig owner’s website, the rig has a capacity of 939 barrels of base oil and 3,704 barrels of diesel among other stored fuels and toxic liquids.

“We must lift the secrecy veil. Were each of the different storage tanks fingerprinted by our local investigators? Were the tanks empty or full? Why are the investigative and fingerprinting reports guarded and secret?” He said the FFOS knows of official reports that have been falsified in the past and he urged transparency and a firm and fair enforcement of the law.

“Contrary to the Honourable Minister of Energy’s feeble plea that we do not have laws, FFOS points the unknowing minister to read the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 which dictates a strict liability standard for damage from oil spills and even establishes criminal sanctions including mandatory incarceration for irresponsible and negligent culprits.

“Unless there is social justice for our people by the firm enforcement of law, the foundation of our democracy will continue to crumble.”