THA: Disposal of spilled oil poses no new threat to Tobago

The Office of the Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) says contrary to a recent media report published in a daily newspaper, there are no threats to the environment as a result of overflowing oil pits–that were created to contain the remnants of the February oil spill on the island.

In a media release on Tuesday, the THA described the article which suggested that “the disposal of the oil using pits at the Studley Park Landfill may be posing a threat to the environment, due to the oil spilling over the pits and interacting with the soil” as inaccurate and misleading.

The release explained that the THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine commissioned the Tobago Emergency Management Authority (TEMA) to do a reconnaissance of the area to assess the situation.

“TEMA has reported that there is no evidence of oil emanating from the pits and confirmed that the earthen dikes around the cells have not been breached,” the release said.

Additionally, the THA said that Augustine noted that the process of digging, lining and utilising holes included collaboration with and approval from the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) and the THA Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) officers. 

“The Chief Secretary also indicates that officers from the landfill frequently survey the surrounding areas to ensure no signs of oil leakage,” the release noted.

It also assured that Augustine remains in communication with the Ministry of Energy regarding its undertaking of the final disposal of oil from the oil spill and has emphasised that the situation “must be dealt with expeditiously.”