Guyana Power and Light Inc Distances Itself From Tobago Oil Spill
GEORGETOWN, Guyana – The Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) is distancing itself from an oil spill in Trinidad and Tobago saying it can “unequivocally state that the company is not related to this unfortunate incident”.
(File PHoto)Earlier this month, the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard (TTCG) confirmed that at least two vessels were involved in the oil spill incident that has caused an oil spill impacting the sister isle of Tobago.
In a statement, the Ministry of National Security said that even as investigations are continuing, video footage and other information, obtained by the TTCG, have confirmed that the two vessels are a tug boat and a barge.
It said the TTCG is collaborating with other local and regional agencies, including the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS), the Guyana Coast Guard (GCG), the Maritime Services Division, and IR Consilium, through consultant Dr Ian Ralby, to identify the vessels and their owners.
Investigations have thus far revealed that the vessels appear to have been bound for Guyana. However, the Guyanese authorities have confirmed that neither vessel arrived as anticipated.
Port of Spain has since announced that it is partnering with international experts to remove the wreckage of thea barge responsible for the oil spill.
In a statement, GPL said that it is aware of the spill that has been impacting Tobago and joins with the rest of Guyana in expressing its concern regarding the environmental implications and impact on the people of Trinidad and Tobago.
The GPL said that it tendered for the supply and delivery of heavy fuel oil (HFO) in June last year and that six bids were received.
It said the the tender was awarded on October 24, last year to the Suriname-based Staatsolie MaatSchappij Suriname N.V. and that an additional award for the supply and delivery of HFO was awarded to the joint venture Rapid Results Inc. and Osher International Holdings LLC to augment GPL’s increasing consumption of HFO and supply requirements.
“The terms of both contracts require the suppliers to deliver the fuel to GPL’s ports along the Demerara River. Title, ownership, and risk of loss for the fuel passes from the suppliers to GPL at the discharge port. GPL has not received any notification from any of its contracted fuel suppliers that they have encountered difficulties with their vessel(s) resulting in the loss of cargo.
“GPL therefore wishes to unequivocally state that the Company is not related to this unfortunate incident,” the company said in its statement.
Earlier this week, the chief executive officer of the Guyana-based Queensway Group Inc., Mohamed Qualander, also has denied any involvement in the oil spill.
“I wish to state that I have never owned any fuel boat and I have never been involved in the trading of fuel in Guyana or anywhere else in the world and that I have absolutely no knowledge of or relationship with the vessel mentioned in the Facebook post,” he said.
