Probe finds no oil spill

By Lanuola Tupufia 17 December 2015, 12:00AM

An investigation conducted by a government committee into an alleged oil spill at Falealupo Village has found there was none.

The probe follows a compensation claim from Falealupo, due to an alleged oil spill and damages caused to the environment when an Apia Deep Fishing vessel ran aground in the area. 

Speaking to the Samoa Observer, the Minister of Works, Transport and Infrastructure, Manu’alesagalala Enokati Posala, detailed the committee’s findings. 

“From the committee’s investigation, there was no oil spill and the boat has been pull[ed] apart,” said Manu’a. “The fishing boat has been removed.”

Asked about the compensation claim from Falealupo, the Minister said the matter was between the village and the company in question.

“That is left to them,” he said. 

The government committee that conducted the investigation included a representative from the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment as well as the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme.  

  Asked for a comment, veteran Member of Parliament for Falealupo, Aeau Peniamina Leavaise’eta declined to comment. It was not possible to get an official comment from the Apia Deep Fishing company at Matautu. 

The boat ran aground in October when the Captain “misjudged the weather”, leading the boat to be stuck on a reef. There were about 12 crewmen on the vessel.

By Lanuola Tupufia 17 December 2015, 12:00AM
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