Following explosion…Port Kaituma River contaminated with fuel

Apr 07, 2014 News

– squatters, boat owners also dumping refuse in waterway

By Rehanna Ramsay

“We use the water to wash dishes, clothes and even bathe sometimes… the water is full of waste fuel; the oil just settle on top…you stand in your home and smell it…” – Stephanie Miguel

Residents of Port Kaituma are seeking the help of regional environmental and health workers for suitable intervention to clear the river of toxic waste.
The Port Kaituma River became severely contaminated with diesel and elements of other combustible fuels following last Friday’s explosion.
“We use the river; it is our main source of water. We use the water to do chores like wash dishes, clothes and even bathe sometimes and the water can go into your mouth like that. The water is currently full of waste fuel; the oil just settle on top, it is severely polluted and affecting a lot of people, the explosion also left a heavy scent of the waste fuel in the air, you can stand in your home and smell it, that can’t be healthy,” Stephanie Miguel, a resident, said yesterday.
Miguel told this newspaper that more than 800 households occupy the waterfront area.
“We want relief because we have no other alternative, it (the oil) is preventing many persons from using the water.”
Mrs. Miguel said that prior to the explosion, the river was already contaminated by refuse that was being dumped there by a few riverside squatters and by trawlers and other vessels.
Miguel said that the issue was brought to the attention of the environmental officer and the police.
“We complained to the environmental officer and she said that she spoke with the authorities and they claimed that they can’t do anything about it now,” Miguel added
Miguel, who identified herself as a member of the community development group in Port Kaituma, claims that the recent explosion merely exposed the plight of residents
“There are a number of serious issues at Port Kaituma that needs to be highlighted. We have been complaining about this issue for some time now because about seven or eight trawlers dock at the water front at a time. They dump all their garbage in the river and there are also squatters living on the waterfront, they continue to dump garbage into the main canal, they are preventing us from erecting a wharf at the waterfront. We need stringent regulations against dumping in the river because it serves the community.”
Kaieteur News understands that members of the Regional Council are set to visit the area today.
“They promise to assess the damage, to see what they can do to help. We hope that they can find suitable solutions in the meantime as investigations into the explosions continue.”
On Friday, a trawler, which was transporting smuggled fuel, burst into flames while it was being offloaded at the Port Kaituma waterfront.
The explosion triggered a massive fire that destroyed three other vessels, a house and two bonds which were also stacked with illegal fuel. The blaze lasted for about four hours before residents, armed with pumps and buckets and using water from the river, prevented the flames from spreading to other nearby properties.