More than 70 residents of Bayshore, Marabella, are finally back home after being evacuated last Friday due to an oil leak that contaminated the river course from Tarouba to Marabella.
When Guardian Media visited, there were no visible signs of ongoing work. The clean-up crews and equipment were gone, and apart from a few small oil deposits, the river appeared mostly clean.
Initially, 57 residents were relocated to the Royal Hotel after fumes from the spill forced them out of their homes, but that number increased to 76. On Tuesday, they were given the all-clear by officials from Heritage Petroleum Company Limited to return home after air quality assessments showed conditions were safe. Although a faint scent still lingers in parts of the neighbourhood, most residents said they were satisfied with the clean-up and relieved to be home.
Poultry farmer Ricardo Singh, his wife, and their two children were among those forced to leave.
“We home. We nice to be home. Home is home ... The scent and thing gone, because before it was very high. You couldn’t be around because you feel dizzy before.”
Singh, who rears ducks, said ten of his birds died because of the oil spill. He is one of several residents—including crab catchers and fisherfolk—now waiting to be compensated by the company for their losses.
Another resident, Melissa Ali-Maharaj, recalled falling ill and being taken by the company to a private health facility for treatment on Friday. She was among the residents who stayed at the hotel during the evacuation.
“They carried the children to school. They made sure we had meals.”
San Fernando West Councillor John Michael Alibocas, who visited the residents, said he was satisfied with the response and the clean-up work.
“It is all about pleasing the people, and it is all about love—treating residents with a level of respect and giving them a clean environment, making sure they come back home into a safe environment,” Alibocas said.
Meanwhile, Heritage Petroleum confirmed that clean-up activities are complete and site restoration work is nearing completion. The company also said air quality levels remain within acceptable standards, but added that monitoring will continue in the affected area.
The leak was caused by an ageing 12-inch trunk pipeline at Tarouba, which ruptured and spilt gallons of oil into the river course. The company assured it will continue to support affected residents as part of its ongoing response efforts.