Oil spill clean-up continues in Barrackpore

Clean up operations of an oil spill in Barrackpore continued on Wednesday as contractors hurriedly tried to prevent further damage before heavy rains came again.

When Newsday visited the site, workers at Sadhu Village, Lawrence Hill were mopping up the remaining oil.

On Sunday morning, a damaged pipeline belonging to Heritage Petroleum (formerly Petrotrin), sprung a leak near a drain off Digity Trace which leads to the South Oropouche river.

Work immediately began but was disrupted on Monday by rainfall. This caused thick oil to flow down the river.

A worker who did not want to be named said, “The damage is being dealt with and most of the oil spilled was already attended to.

“If the weather holds up we should be done by today or tomorrow for the latest.”

Barrackpore West councillor Nicholas Kanhai said residents complained that the stench from the oil was nauseating and affected children and the elderly, in particular.

He told Newsday on Wednesday, “Due to our very harsh economic climate compounded by the effects of covid19, many residents began cultivating short crops on the nearby lands. They are now affected as they relied on the river for irrigation and, in essence, their livelihood.

“On behalf of the residents, I implore Heritage Petroleum, the Environmental Management Authority and the relevant agencies to expeditiously continue their clean-up operations to bring resolve to this matter.”

Kanhai said there were no reported threats to vegetation, livestock, aquatic life or livelihood.