WEDNESDAY,
08 NOVEMBER 2006: Government has responded to
the unprecedented fuel spillage at O R Tambo International
Airport on 8 November 2006 by unleashing the full
might of the environmental enforcement units at
national, provincial and local level.
Current estimates are that at
least one million liters of aviation fuel were
spilled into the stormwater system, and into the
Blaauwpan Dam.
Officials from the Department
of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT), the
Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Conservation
and Environment (GDACE) and the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan
Council are working around the clock to ensure
that measures are taken to protect the health
of local residents and to remediate the environment.
Environmental Management Inspectors
from DEAT and GDACE, dubbed the ‘Green Scorpions’,
are working hand in hand with enforcement officials
from the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry
(DWAF) and Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Council to
investigate the cause of the incident, and possible
contraventions of environmental legislation.
A criminal case has already
been opened into the incident on suspicion of
an offence under the National Water Act.
Government is also investigating
the actions and measures taken by ACSA leading
up to this incident, particularly in view of previous
similar incidents at OR Tambo International. Directors
of ACSA could be held personally liable in terms
of the environmental legislation that has been
breached as a result of this incident.
A follow up meeting will take
place between ACSA management and senior government
officials on Thursday, 9 November 2006 to discuss
detailed clean up and remediation requirements,
and other measures to prevent future incidents.
On Tuesday, 7 November 2006,
rapid response teams hired by ACSA, overseen by
Ekurhuleni Emergency Services, began clean-up
operations in an effort to limit further damage
to the environment. Many volunteers are also assisting
in order to save some of the birdlife affected
by the spillage.
Blessing Manale (Departmental
Spokesperson)
