The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Chief Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

MARATHON residents will have to wait a little longer before a comprehensive statement is released by the Ministry of Health on the 2012 Rubis gas spill, Chief Medical Officer Glen Beneby confirmed yesterday.

Dr Beneby told The Tribune that he hoped to issue a formal press release within the next week, adding that officials were still compiling and reviewing information on the complex matter.

He clarified statements last week by Deputy CMO Dr Delon Brennen, who indicated that officials would coordinate with the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) to screen residents for health problems.

A source close to the matter confirmed to The Tribune that the international heath agency had preliminary meetings with the government over the spill; however, it had not yet been decided in what capacity PAHO would assist the government.

The source added that it would be unlikely that screenings would include blood tests for benzene, a cancer-causing compound in gasoline, given the amount of time that had passed since the initial leak.

“We have an ongoing relationship with PAHO with respect to a number of issues, to which this is one, and that has been positive and helpful to us,” Dr Beneby said. “What I am doing now is that I am bringing all the matters together.

“It is important that it be an important update, not a half-baked update,” he said in response to criticism over the government’s response to health fears.

“They have a right to be concerned, and we have the right to respond to them in the proper manner.”

The leak of 12,000 gallons of unleaded gasoline at the service station at Robinson and Old Trail Roads occurred in late December 2012; however, public outrage ignited earlier this month after it was revealed that the government withheld the findings of an international report into the spill for more than a year.

The Black and Veatch International report found that Marathon residents were possibly exposed to harmful chemicals, including benzene that had contaminated the groundwater. The information was released to the public following a town meeting hosted by the BEST Commission to explain the findings to residents.

The revelation led Fort Charlotte MP Dr Andre Rollins to call for the formation of a House of Assembly select committee to investigate the fuel leak. On Wednesday, 15 of the MPs present voted no, seven MPs voted yes (including Dr Rollins and the opposition members present) and 15 members were absent from the evening session. PLP MP Renward Wells was among those to vote yes. Among those absent for vote were Prime Minister Perry Christie, Minister of Environment Kenred Dorsett, and Minister of Health Perry Gomez.

Meanwhile, residents plan to hold another town meeting to discuss recent developments, such as the BVI report and political involvement, and organise community action.

Yesterday, area resident Ted Forbes said: “The town meeting the government held was really a waste of time. They didn’t give us the report before hand so we really couldn’t ask any real questions about what’s going on. And the report didn’t talk about testing that was done for residents on the east side . . . so we still don’t know anything relevant to us.”

An online petition, started by Mr Forbes, demanding Rubis Bahamas be held accountable for cleanup and financial duties to the residents of Marathon, had 273 signatures up to press time. The petition was launched on change.org on Sunday, and sends an email to the CEO of Rubis and Prime Minister Perry Christie each time a signature is added.

The town meeting will take place at Grace Community Church, Grace Avenue, Palmetto Village, at 7pm on Monday.