[EEZ - Environmental pollution – monitoring] [Mont Roches - Verger-Bissembar – Wastewater accumulation] [Pointe des Lascars – Barachois – Pollution]

Debate No. 18 of 18.10.11

EEZ - ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION - MONITORING

                (No. B/768) Mr J. F. François (Third Member for Rodrigues) asked the Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development  whether, in regard to our territorial waters, he will state -

(a)          if any mechanism for the control, prevention and monitoring of environmental pollution from oil spills or any hazardous wastes emanating from vessels sailing therein has been put in place;

(b)          if any pollution of the east and south east coastal region of Rodrigues by pellets of crude oil or by-products has been reported, on or about mid July 2011, and

(c)           the measures taken for any scientific analysis and the tracking down of the polluters thereof and if not, why not.

                Mr Virahsawmy:  Mr Speaker, Sir, there is a mechanism for control, prevention and monitoring of environmental pollution at sea. The Environmental Protection Act provides for any person, who is informed or otherwise made aware of a spill at sea, shall immediately notify the Director of Environment. Furthermore, the National Coast Guard, which is equipped with fixed wing aircraft and ships as well as a coastal surveillance radar system maintain a watch on possible pollution at sea during their routine surveillance sorties.

Whenever a case of suspected spill is reported to the Director, the Office of the Commissioner of Police is requested to conduct a survey to know the exact location of the spill and the extent of the spill.

The National Oil Spill Contingency Plan which makes provision for the prevention, mitigation and control of marine pollution caused by spills may then be activated, depending on the nature of the spill.

                A similar arrangement is operational in the Island of Rodrigues whereby cases of suspected spills have to be reported to the Island Chief Executive and subsequently, the Rodrigues Oil Spill Contingency Plan is activated should it be deemed necessary.

                As regards part (b), I am informed that on 12 July 2011, hardened oil in a pellet form commonly known as star balls was observed along the beach from Anse Femi to Graviers.  On the same day, personnel of the Rodrigues National Coast Guard conducted a site visit to verify information and performed afloat patrol in the region at sea.  Scattered pellets of hardened oil were found along the beach over a stretch of 3 kms.  No oil spill was observed at inner and outer lagoon area at the time of visit.  Origin of the pellets could not be traced out but suspected to be coming from high seas and washed ashore by breaking waves.  A clean-up operation involving personnel of the Rodrigues NCG, under the supervision of Rodrigues Environment Unit was conducted mainly on the coast between Anse Femi and Mourouk.  The pellets were removed and no reoccurrence have been noted.

                Regarding part (c) of the question, in spite of the limitation of the facilities available, some three nautical miles of lagoon was surveyed and monitoring of the area was maintained from 12 July to 18 July. The source of pollution could not be ascertained and no vessel was found in the vicinity during afloat patrol.  Consequently, no further investigation including any scientific analysis has been pursued.

Mr François:  I thank the hon. Minister for his answer. Mr Speaker, Sir, may I ask the hon. Minister whether he is prepared to request the officers of his Ministry to carry out regular laboratory tests of the quality of our territorial sea waters around Rodrigues in collaboration with the Regional Assembly to monitor sea water quality being given that at present we do not have any laboratory of this kind? There are also regular complaints by fishermen with regard to fish like ‘Licorne’ which taste like petrol at present.  It is quite a hazardous stuff for public health.

                Mr Virahsawmy:  We shall do this exercise jointly with the Ministry of Rodrigues.

                Mr François:  Mr Speaker, Sir, with regard to the National Oil Contingency Plan, may I ask the hon. Minister whether any stimulation exercise has been carried out recently in Mauritius or in Rodrigues and if not, for Rodrigues will he look into doing one?

                Mr Virahsawmy: A stimulation exercise was carried out in Mauritius and we will arrange for one to be done in Rodrigues also.

                Mr Obeegadoo:  Mr Speaker, Sir - I speak on part (a) of the question – further to the recent incident with the Angel I ship, I would like to know whether the Ministry has taken any decision to review this so-called National Oil Spill Contingency Plan and also the Regional Oil Spill Contingency Plan since we know it took ten long days for the pumping of oil to actually begin fuel from the ship?

Mr Virahsawmy:  In fact, I must say that the work with Angel has been done very well taking into consideration what is happening in New Zealand where nothing can be done up to now.  However, we are also studying the possibility to set up a Regional Oil Spill Combat Equipment Unit to be established within the Regional Coordination Centre in the medium to long-term to enable swift availability and mobilisation of equipment to face any anticipated oil spill.  In fact, we are looking at doing it under the OIC to regroup the various island States so that it will be equipped with more sophisticated equipment.

Mr Bhagwan:  Mr Speaker, Sir, apart from the National Oils Spill Contingency Plan, there was a Port Area Contingency Plan.  Can the hon.  Minister inform the House whether there is close coordination between the Port Authorities and the Ministry of Environment as far as oil spill is concerned and whether there was a problem of communication between the Port Authorities and the Ministry of Environment?

Mr Virahsawmy: Mr Speaker, Sir, there has never been any problem of communication.  In fact, the National Authorities grouped the National Coast Guard, the SMF, the Port Authorities, the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Fisheries.  All have been working together and there has been proper coordination with regard to operations at Angel I. The work has been done satisfactorily, I must say, and all the different national authorities had a Headquarter at Poudre d’Or.

Mr Obeegadoo: Again, on part (a), I am referring to the Angel I incident.  Being given that one of the reasons for the delay was that it was left to the ship owners to contract their own experts, will the Minister consider the possibility that, henceforth, the Ministry itself, national authorities can move fast to bring in appropriate experts rather than depending on the ship owners?

Mr Virahsawmy:  No, because this is being dealt with by the insurance company.  It is the insurance company which brings the salvage company to do the operations.  The Ministry together with all national authorities had supervised and had made sure that all the equipment were brought in time, but there were requirements for certain sophisticated equipment to be brought in by special boats.

Mr Bhagwan: Can the Minister inform the House whether Mauritius is benefiting from assistance from the World Bank concerning the fight against oil spill through the Indian Ocean Commission and whether there is a share of financing for Rodrigues Island and even for our small islands falling under our responsibility?

Mr Virahsawmy: Rodrigues forms part of Mauritius and whatever plan we have for Mauritius we will also include Rodrigues.

Mr François: Mr Speaker, Sir, the National Coast Guard is monitoring an automatic radar system at Malartic, Rodrigues.  May I ask the hon. Minister whether his Ministry received the reports of tankers, cargos or whatever with potential environmental dangers which use the territorial waters around Rodrigues?

Mr Virahsawmy:  These are being sent to the National Coastguard who then analysed it, and whenever necessary they send a report to the Ministry.

Mr Obeegadoo: Again on part (c) of the question referring to tracking down of polluters, in the case of the Angel I accident, may I know whether an inquiry under the Merchant Shipping Act was initiated?

Mr Virahsawmy:  I think the hon. Member has to address this question to the Ministry of Shipping.

Keywords: seawater pollution, oil spills

 

Debate No. 18 of 18.10.11

MONT ROCHES - VERGER-BISSEMBAR – WASTE WATER ACCUMULATION

(No. A/286) Mr K. Li Kwong Wing (Second Member for Beau Bassin & Petite Rivière) asked the Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development whether, in regard to the Verger-Bissembar area at Mont Roches, he will state if he has been informed of accumulation of waste water thereat, thereby representing health and security hazards and, if so, will urgent remedial actions be taken.

 

Reply: I wish to refer the hon. Member to the reply I made to PQ No. 1A/79 on 17 August 2010.

 

I am informed by the Wastewater Management Authority that a survey carried out in May 2011 has revealed the houses are located in a low lying area with a complex topography.  A detailed topographical survey has to be carried out to determine the best course of action for the construction of sewer pipelines to connect the region to the trunk main.

Keywords: Verger-Bissembar, wastewater accumulation

 

Debate No. 36 of 13.12.11

POINTE DES LASCARS – BARACHOIS - POLLUTION

(No. B/987) Mrs. P. Bholah (First Member for Piton & Rivière du Rempart) asked the Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development whether, in regard to the barachois at Pointe des Lascars, he will state if he has been informed of cases of pollution by leachate thereat, emanating from animal breeding in the vicinity thereof and, if so, indicate the remedial steps that have been or will be taken.

Mr Virahsawmy: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, following a site visit effected on 15 September 2011 by Dr. hon. Beebeejaun, the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Energy and Public Utilities. Hon. Bachoo, vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Public Infrastructure, NDU, Land Transport and Shipping, Dr. hon. Hookoom, PPS and myself and also site visits effected on 17, 18 and 19 November 2011 by officers of my Ministry, no source of pollution by leachate from animal breeding has been noted in the vicinity of Pointe des Lascars, barachois.

However, it was noted that one inhabitant was rearing three cows, a few goats, chickens and ducks and all waste and leachate were collected in a pit and no odour nuisance was discerned on site.

Samples of water from the barachois were also collected by the National Environmental Laboratory, test results show that parameters are within the prescribed limits for guidelines for coastal water quality and there is no sign of pollution in the barachois. 

Mrs Bholah: Can the hon. Minister inform the House if he has the intention to develop the Barachois for the benefit of the inhabitants of Pointe des Lascars?

Mr Virahsawmy: Well, unfortunately, the MP has got to check the procedures.  Barachois are not under my responsibility.

Keywords: Pointe des Lascars, Barachois