(Nassau - May 3, 2015) –We wish to correct
the record in the matter of the Rubis Fuel Spill at the Robinson Road Service
Station, and in so doing, highlight Government’s actions to ensure the care and
safety of residents in the area, particularly the 5 households directly
affected by the spill.
A review of actions taken after the
original spill demonstrates the following:
·
Rubis has
accepted responsibility for the spill.
·
The Bahamas
Government immediately compelled Rubis to remediate the situation by:
o
Removing all
contamination in water and soil.
o
Containing the
spill and preventing cross contamination to other locations or sites.
o
Testing and
reporting on contamination levels for wells, residences and local businesses.
·
Rubis has
financed these operations out of pocket, at no cost to the people of The
Bahamas.
·
To decrease the
risk of negative health effects, access to city water has been assured.
· Residents of the area have been instructed not to use
ground water, but city water instead.
As a result of this action, samples
taken in March 2014 and February 2015 by noted international environmental
consulting firm Arcadis, engaged by Rubis, show that in the locations where these
steps were taken, the presence of Benzene and other potential contaminants are
at safe, acceptable levels.
In the interest of public health,
however, we will continue testing and monitoring for the next several years
under the advisement of international environmental consultants. We will
proactively update the public in Marathon and beyond through quarterly reports.
Today, we announce further action to
mitigate any risk to residents of Marathon:
·
The Chief Medical
Officer and PAHO will lead health screening clinics for those in affected areas.
o
The Chief Medical
Officer began meeting with affected households on May 3, 2015.
o
Screening tests
will be complete by June 1, 2015.
·
A new bill to be
tabled by October 19 to enhance public safety and environmental protection.
o
Creation of a
Department of Environmental Planning and Protection.
o
Petroleum sector
regulations on the handling, maintenance and cleanup of contaminants.
We also wish to express our sincere
regret for Government’s delay in releasing the Black and Veatch report, which
assessed Government’s response, and Rubis’ compliance with remediation steps. An
initial analysis of the report’s release reveals that poor coordination and
administration led to the delay.
To mitigate such challenges in the
future, Government will within 15 days appoint an independent governance and
machinery of government expert to make public a review of the handling of the
report, identify specific errors leading to the delay, and recommend a new
process for timely disclosure.