THE Bosai Minerals Group and the Ministry of Natural Resources have agreed to work with the Region 10 administration to restore the environment after an accidental oil spill over which the company has been fined $1.5 million.Yesterday, representatives of Bosai met Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman and a team including Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) representatives Mr. Kemraj Parsaram, Director of Compliance Enforcement and Ms. Aminah McPherson-Damon, Legal Advisor, to discuss the company’s liability for the accidental release of waste oil into the waterways from their facility in March, 2016.
The spill made its way into the Demerara River, affecting surrounding drainage waterways in Region 10. The issue arose on March 29, 2016, when a report was received by the EPA through the Ministry of Natural Resources about the release of waste oil from the Bosai facility into the Demerara River.
On March 30, an investigation was conducted by the EPA in collaboration with the Regional Democratic Council of Region 10, to determine the source of the spill and the remediation that was needed.
Following the investigation, Bosai was found responsible and the company accepted responsibility for its negligence that led to the environment being adversely affected.
The EPA set out to determine the penalties that Bosai was liable to pay. Following the outcome of the meeting, and as part of the agreed menu of measures to address the environmental impacts of the spill, and to build better community relations, General Manager of Bosai, Mr. Robert Shang accompanied by Maj. Gen. (ret’d) Norman McLean committed to clean and maintain the area between Bosai’s north gate and Washer Pond Road including, clearing of verges and drainage work, and will also provide a four-year scholarship to a student from Region 10 to pursue a degree in Environmental Science at the University of Guyana.
The company is also keen to avoid any recurrences and has undertaken to work closely with the Regional Democratic Council of Region 10 to realise its immediate commitments as well as to expand its contribution to the region.
One initiative that is planned is the erection of an arch in recognition of the 100th anniversary of Bauxite mining in Guyana. Minister Trotman is planning to visit the Region 10 Regional Democratic Council and the Bosai facility in the near future, and will continue to work with all parties, through the Ministry of Natural Resources, to help safeguard the environment in all regions.