Energy Minister Nicole Olivierre says she is extremely concerned about recent oilspills, particularly those affecting fishing communities in her La Brea constituency.
The minister, who was at the PNM South Regional Office in San Fernando where local government candidates were being screened on Friday night, said ministry officials are analysing the oil using print analysis to pinpoint the exact source of the spill.
“I have not personally reviewed the results from those oil spills, but we would normally engage the Institute of Marine Affairs and we work in collaboration with the EMA to try to identify the source of the oil spill,” she said.
“Certainly we will quickly mobilise to have the negative impact of this mitigated.”
Olivierre said it was part of the routine operations of the ministry’s Petroleum Asset Monitoring and Measurement Division to do regular inspections of all oil field instillations.
“I am extremely concerned about the oil spills because I do have a passion for the environment and particularly as these oil spills are taking place in the fishing areas within my constituency. I am very much concerned about it, that is why I am working with EMA, IMA and the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Planning so we could come up with a resolution to this issue that has been reoccurring since the 2013 oil spill,” she said
28 candidates screened
Incumbent councillor fior Brighton/Vessigny Gerald Debisette was among 28 candidates who faced a screening panel headed by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley.
Debisette, who served two terms in the UNC-controlled Siparia Regional Corporation, said he is confident he will be selected. If successful, one of his first projects will be to put proper sporting facilities in La Brea.
Arlene Ramdeo, who is hoping to be the next councillor for Erin, said she was recommended by two constituencies and is confident she will be selected. Her focus would be on enhancing family life.
Candidates were also screened for the UNC-controlled Penal Debe Regional Corporation.