The government has assured citizens and residents that air quality in the country remained ‘safe’ and the operation to rectify a ‘limited defect’ that led to an oil tank leakage in Sitra was in its final stages.
“Appropriate measures are being taken to contain the leak in line with utmost security and safety standards,” the government said.
A high-level government team yesterday met MPs and Shura Council members at the National Assembly Complex in Gudaibiya to explain the progress of work.
Officials said that as in most cases, during such leakages, the smells emitted may vary depending on weather conditions, most notably wind direction, and may continue for several days.
“The concerned teams are present in the field to carry out regular environmental checks in accordance with public safety protocols,” they added.
“According to daily monitoring indicators, air quality levels in the kingdom are currently safe, reassuring, and within approved environmental standards.”
During the meeting, the government team confirmed that efforts were continuing in full swing, and in co-ordination between all concerned parties, to limit the smell in some areas.
The GDN yesterday reported that Education Ministry officials have instructed 15 public schools, two private schools and 12 kindergartens in Sitra to switch to remote learning until the end of the week.
Bapco Refining had also issued a statement confirming that operations underway to deal with a leak in one of its oil tanks were in their final stages.
The government yesterday praised everyone working hard to control the incident which was a result of a ‘limited technical defect’ caused by heavy rains last week.
“The operation is in its final stages,” officials said.
They continued that competent authorities have begun to determine the effects that the smell may cause, in addition to developing response plans to optimally deal with such accidents in accordance with the best international standards.
They also stressed that the Supreme Council for Environment (SCE) has sufficient capabilities and accurate devices, besides a programme to monitor air quality around the clock through seven fixed and mobile stations.
“There is an air monitoring network that includes stations in several regions of the kingdom,” they added.
Officials also explained that the emergency teams were ready to deal with any crises, if necessary, pointing out that the Civil Defence teams were present at the site 24 hours a day along with the Bapco Energies team.
“We continue to monitor and measure the air quality in several regions of the kingdom, including educational and health institutions,” they said.
The team explained that as soon as the authorities detected the smell in a number of areas, the Health Ministry, in co-ordination with the SCE, came up with a contingency plan in anticipation of emergencies, if any.
The government team also indicated its keenness to inform members of society of the latest developments in a timely, transparent and professional manner, and to share all awareness efforts and initiatives to dispel concerns over the leak.
“We don’t neglect the health of citizens and residents under any circumstances, and the Bahrain team, represented by the public and private sectors, the legislative authority, and citizens and residents, have always proven their ability and competence in dealing with various challenges,” the team said.
“Preserving the health and safety of everyone is a top priority,” they added.
The executive and legislative authorities held the joint meeting to review the measures taken by the concerned departments to deal with the leak.
The Parliament delegation was led by Speaker Ahmed Al Musallam and the Shura delegation by first vice-chairman Jamal Fakhro.
The government team was led by Parliament and Shura Council Affairs Minister Ghanim Al Buainain. Oil and Environment Minister and Special Envoy for Climate Affairs Dr Mohammed Bin Daina, Health Minister Dr Jalila Al Sayyed and Bapco senior officials were present.
“We appreciate the efforts of the Oil and Environment Ministry that has been closely tracking the incident, and the security and safety measures taken by Bapco,” said Mr Al Musallam.
“We praise the Health Ministry that worked through primary healthcare centres to take precautionary measures to ensure the safety of citizens and residents.”
He also praised the Civil Defence teams that supported Bapco in containing the leak.
He said emergency teams and specialised committees have been formed while the National Committee for Civil Emergency Management, headed by Public Security Chief Lieutenant General Tariq Al Hassan, held meetings.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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