First steps in oil spill contingency plan tabled

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman says that by the time oil production starts in two years a National Oil Spill and Contingency Plan (NOSCP) should be established.

Trotman in delivering the feature address at the first Stakeholder Consultation at the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) stated that the plan must not only meet the minimum standard but extend beyond it.

“We do have a risk [and] we recognize that there is a risk. However, Government is making every effort to prepare for that risk, some of which you heard today and some of which you will hear at a later time. This plan is not a plan in its final stage, it is in its formative stage and so we expect in 24 months when we go to production we will meet not only the minimum standard expected, but we will go past that and be able to say to ourselves and to the world that we are ready for any eventuality,” Trotman said.