(Trinidad Guardian) Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Chief Secretary Farley Augustine says he may declare the oil spill on the island a tier three disaster by today.
Giving an update on the clean-up response yesterday afternoon, Augustine said his team was preparing to officially classify the severity of the incident at a higher level.
“Yes, we are going to move to a Tier Three level. We just need to get some things cleared tomorrow (today) and then that announcement will be made, but all indications are we are heading in that direction. At this point, we are open to the assistance of anywhere,” Augustine said.
At tier three, President Christine Kangaloo will be able to declare the incident a national emergency.
In such a scenario, the ODPM, through the Ministries of National Security, Foreign Affairs and Finance, will co-ordinate the acquisition of regional and international aid.
The United Nations has already reached out to THA officials to offer assistance, while clean-up volunteers have increased to 1,000.
Today, specialist divers will attempt to isolate the leak from the overturned vessel which led to the oil spill.
He said the current is also pushing the vessel to shore and the THA fears it may cause more damage to the reef and eventually reach closer to the shoreline.
“So, while we are using booms, they will try to plug the leak and they are being sent by the Maritime Division. When they are through with that, then they will send other specialists to do the wrecking of the vessel. They will determine the best way to remove the vessel from the site because it cannot stay in that location.”
Augustine said 15 kilometres of coastline had been affected by the spill’s deposit. The spill started 16 kilometres off Tobago’s coastline and large corals were broken off on the reef where the vessel initially overturned.
Meanwhile, the THA also decided to cancel the Junior Parade of the Bands carded for Scarborough. However, they are hoping the affected bands will now join a similar activity in Roxborough.
However, a cruise ship expected in on Sunday with 3,000 tourists will be allowed to dock and visitors will be cautioned about the spill.
Augustine said the THA was also concerned about the mounting costs associated with the oil spill response.
He said they already had an invoice for $1 million, which covers the expenses for oil absorbent booms, skimmers, and other equipment service providers have requested to be put on a retainer. However, he clarified the invoice has not yet been signed off on and he is reviewing its details.
He said a significant portion of the expenses will be determined after the crisis has been addressed.
While acknowledging the mounting costs, Augustine assured the public that the expenses will not be astronomical.
Following a visit to Tobago with Works Minister Rohan Sinanan, Energy Minister Stuart Young, said a team had been dispatched to Tobago for technical support.
Young said, “We continue to offer our assistance and whatever assistance can be provided. I’ve also given the green light for Heritage Petroleum to provide assistance.
“We have been consistently communicating with TEMA (Tobago Emergency Management Agency). TEMA and the THA have indicated that they are dealing with the matter and have the lead…The ministry team has been working closely with the THA and team today.”
He said the ministry is on standby to provide any further assistance necessary.
Sinanan told Guardian Media he will be returning to the island next week for another in-person assessment and discussions with the THA.
Meanwhile, Tobago Bandleaders Association president Dianne McCrimmon yesterday called on her members to be lenient after several of them expressed dissatisfaction because they were not given the option to choose an alternative route in Scarborough.
“At the end of the day, even though I’m representing bands, I still have to put people’s children first, and if the Chief (Secretary) says so, then I have to go with what the Chief Secretary says.”
The Tobago Hotel and Tourism Association said none of its members had been affected.
“More than anything else, we understand that this can have a major social and economic impact for Tobago and the tourism industry. As an association, we are standing by to provide as much assistance as we can possibly provide,” the THTA said.
Oil samples in IMA hands
At yesterday’s media conference, Geographic Information System specialist Dayreon Mitchel announced that oil samples from the vessel, whose origin is still unknown, were sent to Trinidad and the results should be returned to Tobago soon.
He said, “The IMA (Institute of Marine Affairs) would have received the samples that we would have collected, and the testing would be conducted during the course of next week. They will be continuously testing it, and they will be giving us a report by the end of that week.”
Planning and Development Minister Pennelope Beckles-Robinson, in a release yesterday, also said she was deeply concerned about the oil spill and its impact on Tobago’s natural resources.
Her main concern is the damage that may have been done to ecosystems such as Cove Reef and Flying Reef, as well as other sensitive areas in Kilgwyn Bay, Canoe Bay, Petit Trou Lagoon, Rockley Bay, Little Rockley Bay and Topaz Beach.
Guardian Media confirmed the oil is starting to blanket one of the island’s largest and most protected mangrove sites behind the Magdelena Hotel.
Beckles-Robinson said the EMA and IMA had supported the preliminary assessment along the coastline, and that samples were collected by the IMA for analysis.
