Sabotage suspected in Trinidad & Tobago oil spills

Cleaning crews working to clear up pollution resulting from oil spill. PHOTO/Trinidad Express

The government of Trinidad & Tobago has announced increased security for energy installations on land and sea as the authorities continue to battle with several oil spills that may have been a result of sabotage.

A statement issued following a meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) that was chaired by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, noted that The NSC had received “an update on the oil spill”, and while an investigation is being undertaken by PETROTRIN, the administration has decided to protect its facilities within the energy sector.

Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar will tour the areas affected by the oil spill on Tuesday.

According to Gary Aboud – the President of the Friends and Fishermen of the Sea, thousands of people whose livelihood depend on fishing have been badly affected by the oil leak.

The source of the oil leak is yet to be determined.

Energy Minister Kevin Ramnarine, who visited the La Brea beach area affected by an oil spill, revealed that Clean Caribbean – a Florida-based firm would be assisting the local contractors in dealing with the oil even as the Oilfield Workers Trade Union (OWTU) said the state-owned company PETROTRIN should shoulder the blame for the environmental disaster.

Ramnarine acknowledged that the clean-up exercise could last weeks – the company has already removed 700 barrels of oil from the La Brea beach. He added that the company in conjunction with PETROTRIN are also investigating whether the oil spills were acts of sabotage. -(CMC)