Demanding to know why no navigational warnings were issued after high density oil escaped from the ruptured Tank 70 at Petrotrin’s facility, corporate secretary of Fishermen and Friends of the Sea Gary Aboud says there are too many discrepancies in the oil spill reports which happened last April.
His comments came after three Venezuelan medics perished at sea after their ship the El Yamaya came into contact with thick crude on April 28, while returning home from Trinidad laden with medical supplies for their patients.
In a statement, Aboud demanded to know why Petrotrin did not use its three skimmers to contain the oil from the ruptured tank before it reached Venezuelan waters.
Saying the Venezuelan deaths raises serious doubts about the integrity of the information released by the Minister of Energy and Energy Industries, Aboud said, “Petrotrin stated that the oil spill began at 2.45 pm on Sunday 23rd April 2017. Is this the time of detection, or the time when Tank 70 actually ruptured and how frequently are these tanks inspected and by whom?” Aboud asked. The Tank which was identified as high risk since 2003 by former Energy Minister Kevin Ramnarine was supposed to have been repaired in 2015.
Calling on Petrotrin to say what time the emergency response was initiated, Aboud said the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan (NOSCP) states that Petrotrin has at least three skimmers on hand in case of an oil spill.
“Why weren’t these skimmers used to contain the oil from ruptured Tank 70? Petrotrin installed booms across the Guaracara River but was unsuccessful in containing or preventing the high density fuel oil from entering the Gulf of Paria. This fuel oil is heavier and denser than water so it does not float on the surface; it would be submerged,” Aboud added.
He also questioned whether booms were installed across the Guaracara River after the oil escaped into the Gulf of Paria and whether the booms were inadequate to contain submerged fuel oil.
He also expressed suspicion over the initial reports that only 300 barrels of oil had leaked from the tank.
“Minister Franklin Khan stated in Parliament that only 300 barrels of oil leaked from Tank 70. The video circulating on social media, where fuel oil was gushing out of Tank 70, it is without a doubt much more than 300 barrels escaped. If a mere 300 barrels of oil leaked, how could it have stretched to one mile wide by five miles long in the Gulf of Paria?” Aboud asked.
He also said that “in December 2013 it was reported that 7000 barrels of oil was spilled, but this never caused any major impact on Venezuela, yet today our country is being told that a mere 300 barrels of oil is having a major impact on Venezuela’s coast.”
Aboud also called on Petrotrin to say how many men were cleaning up the oil contaminated waters of the Gulf of Paria.
He also called on Parliament to pass legislation to prosecute public officers who deliberately mislead the public.
“Because human life and health are at risk when a rupture occurs, our Parliament should consider legislation that would create consequence when public officers deliberately mislead the public,” Aboud said. He called on all the Environmental Management Authority, the Institute of Marine Affairs, Occupational Safety and Health Authority, Ministry of Energy and the National Emergency Management Authority to work together to protect the environment.