Graciousa Bay oil spill potentially disastrous

A foreign bulk carrier MV QUEBEC arrived in the country late last month had spilled tons of Heavy Oil Fuel, (HFO) at the Historical Graciosa Bay, Temotu Province.

Following reports of the spill, the government has deployed a team from the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) to Temotu Province to assess the oil spill.

A statement from the government said, “Oil Spill with potential damage to the environment observed and routine vessel clearance on MV Quebec is continuing.”

The team will provide further information on the spills and the impacts on the communities and environment, and will soon determine appropriate actions to be taken.

The team will also be assessing the oil leakage from the wrecked MV Tremax, a sunken vessel at the Lata wharf in 2014.

Lata residents continue to raise concerns that the oil spill has damaged the marine resources which sustain their livelihood.

The vessel was believed to have arrived in the Province to load logs.

by Charley Piringi