Gas fumes continued to spread throughout several villages in Guayaguayare yesterday, leaving more than 30 residents feeling unwell, as the National Gas Company (NGC) moved swiftly to depressurise a 24-inch natural gasline which ruptured on Sunday. Up to late yesterday, the spout of water and natural gas continued to spray just off the coast of Galeota Point causing distress to fisherfolk. Chairman of the South Eastern Fishermen Association, Fenton Straker, said on Sunday night dozens of residents were unable to stay in their homes because of the gas fumes.
"It was terrible and more than 30 residents complained to me about feeling unwell," Straker revealed.
He said over 103 fishermen were affected. However, Straker praised NGC's officials who were closely monitoring the situation. He said NGC planned to meet with the community late yesterday to address concerns. "We are happy because the NGC has been monitoring gas levels. The smell of fumes was high last night," Straker said. When the T&T Guardian team visited the area, fishermen were seen lounging on hammocks at Seawall. Fisherman Hayden Mentor said: "We all staying away from there. The Coast Guard is on patrol to make sure nobody goes there."
Meanwhile, Minister of Energy, Kevin Ramnarine, confirmed yesterday the gasline belonged to the NGC.
He said: "This was reported to us yesterday and I spoke with officials throughout the day yesterday and we confirmed there is a leak in a 24-inch gas pipeline between Galeota Point and St Mary's estate." He said NGC had been depressurising the line. He added: "We have shut down the line after which divers will inspect it to ascertain the exact location of the leak, following which a clamp will be installed. "That will start tomorrow. The work will be completed by Thursday or Friday and operations will resume by then." Asked about health concerns, Ramnarine said NGC had advised the fisherfolk to stay away from the area where natural gas was bubbling from the sea.
He noted "NGC operates a very vast pipeline system with over 1,000 km of pipeline, of which 198 km is underwater." As a result, Ramnarine said, NGC had the expertise to deal with the situation. NGC's corporate head of health, safety and environment, Antonia Lucky, and a team were on the site monitoring the health implications late yesterday.