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RESPONSE, CLEAN UP & DAMAGE ASSESSMENT – lack of transparency or not, we need answers!
Whilst Mauritius has been celebrating the fact that we are COVID-19 free for the last so many months, the rest of the world has come to know by now that we are witnessing, with much grief & anger, the worst ecological disaster that Mauritius has ever known!
As matters stand, many of us are still eager to know and hear from the Government authorities as to who they intend to condemn for this damage, irreparable for most part, and who will they hold accountable for any liable costs?!
WHY? – Because there have been dire consequences to this oil spill from an ugly scrap vessel that wasn’t meant to be in our territorial waters in the first place!
WHY ARE WE SO CONCERNED?
´Because the oil spill from the scrap has created an ecological crisis in Mauritius, fouling miles of shoreline and a devastating impact on marine wildlife, the effects rippled through into the economy with the fishing, tourism, and real estate industries taking a big hit.´
For purposes of transparency & public interest – can it be confirmed how many fishermen and seafood industry workers are now out of work and for how long and what is the price tag in terms of total economic losses?
Can the authorities look out for any ?(expert) marine biologists on the island to tell us how many years will it take to fully realise the spill's effects as a result of the reproduction rates of certain marine life given the oil exposure?
As we know, life on earth is sustained by a delicate ecosystem and this has now been DISRUPTED by some morons crashing their scrap vessel onto our protected reefs – so can we be reassured that this remedial process is not going to be as simple as cleaning up the mess and being done with it?!
Can the Government promise us that they will rule out any risk of COMPLACENCY by leveraging the need for ACCOUNTABILITY in this matter?
Can the Government promise ´Le Peuple Mauricien’ that all our questions will be answered with full transparency and matters be brought to light?
Under the BUNKER convention (as explained in my last post), we know that the owners of vessels are responsible for damage caused by oil leaks. That means Nagashiki rather than Mitsui OSK is liable.
Can the operator of the vessel, Wakashio, tell us, in layman’s term, as to why it was sailing so close to our reefs? And NO, we don’t need lame excuses such as the need for WiFi connection (God knows from which household) or birthday celebration! We are not that stupid!
Can it be confirmed to us that the vessel Wakashio has passed its annual inspection without any issues being flagged up? Has it got full Insurance liability?
Can Japan P&I give us, ´Le Peuple Mauricien’ an estimate on how much the total clean up and monetary & non-monetary damage restitution would cost?
Can we also be told as to who will be responsible for the removal of this ugly scrap vessel away from our sights and our beautiful reef and lagoon?
Compensation amount paid by ship owners are governed by the 1976 Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims and a subsequent amended convention agreed in 1996.
Can the vessel owners confirm to ´Le Peuple Mauricien’ that they have adequate insurance to cover for the damage caused to our shores and lagoons?
And, can the Government reassure us, Le Peuple Mauricien, that justice will be brought in this matter and irrespective, all those affected directly by this damage will be duly compensated?
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