The Government says an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is not warranted at this stage following the fuel leak at the Petro Oceania facility in Walu Bay, as the incident was contained within the site and did not result in a confirmed discharge into the wider marine environment.
In response to questions by The Fiji Times Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said regulatory action was instead being taken under existing waste and pollution control laws, with the Department of Environment continuing inspections and monitoring.
“The appropriate regulatory pathway in this case is through waste and pollution control enforcement, as provided for under the Environment Management Act and the Waste Disposal and Recycling Regulations,” Mr Rabuka said.
“Should evidence emerge of environmental harm beyond the site boundary, we will conduct further assessment and remedial action consistent with the law.”
Mr Rabuka said the company had been directed to fully clean affected areas within the facility, including the pump station, bund perimeter and surrounding surfaces, with all wash water captured and diverted into a separator pit to prevent any discharge into drains or waterways.
Any contaminated material, he said, was being managed under approved waste handling procedures, with Petro Oceania bearing full responsibility for all clean-up and remediation costs.
He confirmed inspectors had issued remedial directions requiring continued containment, controlled clean-up and verification to ensure no fuel escapes beyond the site.
“Further regulatory notices will be issued requiring maintenance and infrastructure upgrades, particularly given the condition of ageing infrastructure and the recurrence of leakage at a previously repaired point.”
