The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday said as a result of the Christie administration’s dereliction of duty in handling “the worst crisis in recent times” it is now impossible to retroactively determine Bahamians’ total exposure to chemicals emitted from the 2012 Rubis gasoline leak in Marathon.

His party demanded that the government not only create a multi-ministry task force to formulate a proper response to the gas leak, but immediately begin public health screening and testing of residents.

Dr Minnis pointed to the long-term health effects that could plague residents, which include damage to female reproductive organs and the weakening of the immune system.

The former health minister, under the previous Ingraham administration, said the government’s response to this issue has revealed a lack of coordination between Cabinet ministers.

Dr Minnis said it appears that they failed to communicate and are now blaming each other for the situation.

As a result, he demanded that Minister of Environment Kenred Dorsett, Minister of Health Dr Perry Gomez, Education Minister Jerome Fitzgerald and Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson apologise to each Marathon resident and resign forthwith.

Dr Minnis said the fuel leak could have put thousands of people at risk of exposure to toxic substances in gasoline, such as benzene, xylene and toluene.

“Benzene can pass from a mother’s blood to her unborn child and affect children even before they are born. The reported exposure created a public health crisis in Marathon. When did the Ministry of Health become aware of the crisis and why were none of the protocols activated? The minister of health has yet to address the public and residents on this health crisis.”

He said the FNM wants the government to immediately begin the communication programme recommended in the independent report on the fuel leak to educate residents on health risks; provide free legal assistance to residents who wish to commence legal action; immediately review present legislation and make necessary amendments to ensure that similar spills are prevented and commence the examination of all service stations, oil, chemical storage facilities in the Bahamas to determine if water, soil, or, air has been contaminated by dangerous chemicals.

The FNM also wants the appointment of an independent commission to publicly examine the issues surrounding the gasoline spill. According to the BEST Commission, the fuel release of 12,000 gallons of unleaded gasoline was observed in late December 2012 by operator Fiorente Management, and reported to Rubis on January 19, 2013.

Two weeks ago, the government released a 2014 independent report prepared by Black and Veach International, who found that area residents were possibly exposed to harmful chemicals, including benzene.

Rubis Bahamas is also in the middle of a legal battle with Cable Bahamas. The company has a building adjacent to the gas station.

Cable Bahamas is suing Rubis and Fiorente Management for up to $15m in damages, alleging that their “negligence” resulted in its property, mainly its customer service building, being contaminated by the 2012 leak.

Rubis and Fiorente Management are both resisting Cable Bahamas’ efforts to obtain a summary judgment against them, and have blamed each other for the massive gasoline leak that sparked the initial claim.

A Marathon family has also filed suit against Rubis Bahamas.