VASCO: The workers of Western India Shipyard Limited (WISL) have expressed fear of serious ecological damage following oil spill from MV QING grounded at the WISL premises.
According to WISL workers, though the authorities have placed booms around the grounded vessel to prevent further spread of oil spill, however, since the last few days, the spillage has spread. They said though MPT is claiming that the situation is under control, they are actually trying to suppress facts.
“MPT officials told the media that there is no fear of oil spill from the grounded MV QING vessel but in reality, the vessel is already spewing oil and this could lead to serious ecological damage. The moment we saw the oil spill, we informed the MPT. They have failed to take any action and have been trying to suppress the issue instead,” said WISL Workers’ Union general secretary Seby Pereira.
He further said, “We want the Goa Pollution control Board officials to inspect the site on a priority basis and issue necessary instructions to officials to remove the 350 tonnes of oil which is stored in the vessel.”
Herald correspondent visited the site and witnessed a thin layer of oil floating on sea water. An MPT staffer deployed at the site tried to convince that they have taken all precautions to prevent any oil spread.
However, a senior officer from MPT confirmed that there were slight leakages and hence a spill. He said necessary instructions have been issued to plug the leakage.
