The Valley, Anguilla, September 16, 2008 ( Government of Anguilla) - Early this morning the Royal Anguilla Police Force responded to a report of the strong smell of gasoline in the little Harbour area. After investigation, it was found that vandalism had occurred at Sol and Delta Petroleum.
On a site visit today the Department of Disaster Management with the Chief Ministers Office, Departments of Environment, Fisheries, Environmental Health, Angelic and additional Fire Administration officials met with representatives of both companies and toured the damage.
According to the representatives, when vandals breached the distribution system an estimated 10,000 gallons of gasoline and diesel were spilled at DP and an estimated 21,000 gallons of gasoline at Sol.
However, members of the public should be aware both Sol and DP have stated the events of this morning will not have an impact on the current gasoline supply.
The public is asked not to be alarmed and not to put undo strain on the fuel supply by panic buying.
The DDM along with the Chief Ministers Office, Departments of Environment, Fisheries, Environmental Health, Angelic and additional Fire Administration will be meeting Friday morning to outline areas of priority to reduce the risk from future re occurrences and to mitigate the damage done. Per a request from the Chief Ministers Office, the DDM will meet with senior management from Sol and DP following.
The Anguilla Fire and Rescue Service remain on scene for safety purposes and the Royal Anguilla Police Force is addressing issues of security.
The Department of Fisheries and Marine has taken sea water samples and efforts are underway to test the soil at Sol as well.
Mitigation efforts undertaken at DP last year, when it was found oil was leaching into the ground, helped reduce the impacts of the spill at Delta Petroleum.
For more information, please contact:
Mrs Elizabeth F. Klute
Director,Department of Disaster Management
Deputy Governor’s Office
James Ronald Webster Building
The Valley, Anguilla
Tel: (264) 497-2926
Fax: (264) 497-3134
Email: elizabeth.klute@gov.ai
