RADHICA DE SILVA
Senior Multimedia Reporter
radhicasookraj@guardian.co.tt
Trunk Pipeline surveillance teams from Heritage Petroleum are currently at Oilwell Road, Massahood Junction in Fyzabad tending to another oil leak on an oil transmission main.
Guardian Media understands the 16 inch transmission pipeline ruptured sometime on Thursday morning and has since been isolated. However, thick oil is still flowing into the roadside drains. The spill is being exacerbated by heavy rains.
Earlier this year, another spill developed in this same area.
Siparia Mayor Doodnath Mayrhoo told CNC3 News the pipeline appears to be compromised.
" We are asking that the line be replaced as soon as possible," Mayrhoo said.
He explained that in June, Heritage made a request for the Siparia Borough Corporation to relocate all the residents from Oilwell Road.
However Mayrhoo said this was not possible as residents have been living here for over 25 years. He said the pipeline was aged and needed replacement.
"People have lived here for generations. You cannot just remove the people. We need dialogue. Heritage needs to give compensation if families have to be relocated," Mayrhoo said.
Heritage is expected to issue a statement about the oil spill soon.