The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

The MINISTER for the Environment said yesterday that within the next few weeks he hoped to know how bad fuel leak-related contamination was at the Robinson Road-based Texaco service station, adding that the issue highlighted the need for a “rigid” regulatory environment for the petroleum industry.

The Government has hired a Canadian firm to investigate the leak and submit a report. Speaking outside Cabinet yesterday, Kenred Dorsett said: “The Government has determined that it has to engage its own consultants on this matter to advise us.

“We have been in contact with RUBIS’ environmental advisors. They have prepared and submitted some reports. Additional information is coming in, and so I’m hoping that in the next few weeks I would be able to wrap my mind around the true impact.”

“It is unclear how much fuel from the Texaco-branded station - now owned by RUBIS - has leaked into the ground. However, the situation has raised serious environmental concerns, enough to prompt Cable Bahamas to relocate its staff from its Robinson Road customer care offices.

RUBIS, whose subsidiary Vitogaz bought Chevron’s fuels marketing and aviation business in the Bahamas last May, now controls 20 fuel stations in the Bahamas. The company has significant upgrades which they plan to implement this third quarter following a “clean-up year”.

Mr Dorsett added: “I must admit that all parties are working assiduously. This is a matter which, from what I can see, may have been going on for a longer period of time than was initially anticipated, but it has only strengthened my resolve to push for a rigid regulatory environment for the entire sector - that’s retail, petroleum dealers and refineries in Grand Bahama because, as it stands, the industry’s have been self-regulated.

“I think the Government has to take the lead and advance a regulatory environment, which would ensure that they do adhere to international best practices, not because they are good citizens and want to do it on their own volition but because they are mandated to do it by Bahamian law.”