(Trinidad Express) Petrotrin has been fined a whopping TT$20 million by the Environmental Management Authority (EMA).
The EMA imposed the fine on the State-owned energy company — the largest fine from the Authority so far — over a series of oil spills for which Petrotrin is being held responsible.
Petrotrin president Khalid Hassanali Tuesday night described the EMA’s action as “harsh”.
Contacted for a response to the EMA’s action, Hassanali said, “Having regard to the quick response that Petrotrin undertook and the care for the persons and environment, I think the measures taken by the EMA were rather harsh.”
EMA chief executive officer Dr Allan Bachan on Tuesday announced that the fine would go towards rehabilitation of areas affected by the spills and also towards consistent testing of various aspects of the environment, including air and water quality.
The announcement was made at a press conference at the EMA’s Elizabeth Street, Port of Spain office, to address the Authority’s action in the wake of 11 spills of varying degrees, the first of which occurred on December 17, 2013 at Petrotrin’s Pointe-a-Pierre jetty.