GUEST COMMENTARY: BY WESLEY CAMPBELL
NASSAU, Bahamas, April 14, 2022 — On September 5th, 2019, Equinor South Riding Point Company reported to local authorities extensive damages sustained at its oil storage and transshipment terminal in the settlement of East End, Grand Bahama. Based on their preliminary aerial and ground assessment, residual oil was observed on the ground outside of the onshore tanks.
The assessment further revealed that there was some infrastructural damage sustained to the onshore tanks which were capped with white domes prior to the storm. Unfortunately, during the wake of hurricane Dorian, the high winds ripped the dome caps off of the storage tanks containing the crude oil resulting in the oil spill. The South Riding Point terminal has a total of ten tanks with a storage capacity of 6.75 million barrels of crude and condensate. Prior to the storm, 1.8 million barrels were stored in three tanks; along with residual oil remaining in the other tanks. When hurricane Dorian had hit the terminal, five of the ten storage tank domes were blown off. The projected spill of crude oil inland had extended the length and width by approximately 7 and 3 miles.
Approximately, thirty-two months after the oil spill, the residents of East End Grand Bahama still remain uninformed and uneducated about the impact of the oil spill as it relates to potential hazards they face being exposed to the toxic oil, the existing and long-term effects to the environment, as well as progress on the restoration process.
Compounding this issue, they have not received absolutely any form of financial assistance or compensation for the damages sustained to their personal properties including the environment and the local community. This is deemed to be a blatant demonstration of gross negligence and lack of regard displayed by Equinor towards the residents of Grand Bahama, but most essentially, to the livelihood of the residents of East End.
In addition to this, the executives of Equinor Co. Ltd. remain tight-lipped about the overall amount the company would have received from their risk insurance for the damages they sustained; and what would be the compensation rewards for damages to the people of East End will receive to restart their lives.
An array of concerned farmers of East Grand Bahama are questioning Equinor and the New Day Government, “Where do we go from here considering that their environment is no longer suitable for farming? This blatant fact stands on the premise of issued letters from the Ministry of Agriculture under the governance of “It’s the People’s Time” administration instructing them to slaughter their pigs and to cease and desist from selling them to the general public.
On the other hand, aspiring farmers from the Grand Bahama community were awarded crown land for farming purposes, just a little more than six months ago, under the previous administration. These individuals also are now questioning the “New Day Government” on its position regarding safety and health concerns regarding the contaminated land that was cunningly issued?
Presently, residual oil still remains in the wetlands, covering the grounds, fauna, pine trees, and foliage which is a grave concern especially learning that Equinor Co. Ltd. has announced to the authorities of its intent to pull out of Grand Bahama via sale of the facility to the proposed purchaser, the Liwothan Group, an oil terminal and logistics headquartered in Estonia.
Mr. Wesley Campbell, the leading advocate for the residents of East End, expressed his deepest concerns relating to Equinor’s recent announcement and application to the Government for approval of leave.
“Over the years, Equinor has resided in our beautiful Bahamaland operating business and have garnered profits in the billions,” Mr. Campbell said. “However, after encountering the unfortunate event at their facility, the company is seeking to leave the indigenous residents of the East End community to bear the burden caused by their negligence, which can potentially cost the lives of many in the future”.
He went on to say that shortly after the storm, the executives of Equinor Co. Ltd. had solemnly pledged to the Bahamian people that the company would act in good faith in cleaning up the oil. That commitment was followed by the Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy endorsing that it expects Equinor will “behave accordingly”. “To date, we see that Equinor has failed to keep its open commitment, which has led me to question the integrity of their stated intent and to their core values and ethical standards as indicated on their official website,” Mr. Campbell said. “Moreover, this is a clear demonstration to other countries that Equinor Co. Ltd. is not a responsible, honest, and sincere company as they so claim to be”.
Mr. Campbell added, “Based on my careful research, a proper assessment, cleanup, and remediation of a large oil spill is estimated to cost an average between $3 billion to $9 billion. Hence, my question to Equinor Co. Ltd. is how much was invested in the effort to clean up the oil that was spilled and assist in restoration process of the environment?”
Mr. Campbell concluded by saying, “Our leaders should never allow this to happen. We are mindful that this oil spill can affect our economy and people for up to or more than 15 years considering the fact that oil residue and hydrocarbons remain present on the land. It is for such reason that I am calling on the Government of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas to act in the best interest of the Bahamian people as they have been elected and mandated to do so by virtue”.
The Bahamian people are watching and shall hold our leaders accountable. Should they allow Equinor Com. Ltd. to leave this country without fulfilling their obligations to the people of East End, it would certainly reveal a true agenda!
Residents of East End Grand Bahama have come together to establish The East End Grand Bahama Restoration Committee for the purpose of addressing the immediate concerns of their community. Presently, the Committee has obtained international council to commence a class action lawsuit against Equinor for their gross act of negligence.
The lead plaintiffs in the class-action lawsuit are the East End Restoration Committee, Reverend Ricardo Ingraham and Mrs. Angela Ingraham, Mr. Harold Adderley, Margaret Curry, Dr. Paul Lockhart, President of the Grand Christian Council, Bahamas Industrial and General Service Union (BIGSU), Grand Bahama Taxi Service Union, Grand Bahama Christian Council, Bahamas Trade Union Congress, The Bahamas National Coalition Party (BNCP), under the leadership of Mr. Wesley Campbell.
The general plaintiffs in this class action lawsuit shall include, but is not be limited to, all persons who reside in the East End of Grand Bahama, all persons who work in the East End of Grand Bahama, including all households and businesses that were affected by the spill.
The East End Grand Bahama Restoration Committee in collaboration with the residents of East End wish to send out a solemn message to Equinor: We will not sit quietly and allow your corporation to leave our beautiful settlement in a wreck. We are geared up, ready and willing to fight for our rights and will not relent until we are satisfied that compensation is granted as a sincere apology for the damages and environmental degradation caused by the oil from your facility.
Citizens of The Bahamas deserve safety and protection. Over the years, the government of The Bahamas have opened its doors to industrial businesses in The Bahamas to operate. Yet little to nothing occurs for recourse to the people when they have been exposed to toxic substances because of these companies operating within our shores. Equinor’s Oil Spill is not the first to occur within The Bahamas, which unfortunately most citizens have little to no knowledge about.
We send a resounding message to our government that now is the time to stand up and demonstrate to the Bahamian people that you have their backs. We are not concerned about your job opportunities or incentives. We are calling on your New Day Government to act now! Any action contrary to assisting the people of East End Grand Bahama in enforcing that Equinor “behaves and act accordingly” would suggest to the Bahamian people that your government is satisfied with Equinor’s performance.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The East End Grand Bahama Restoration Committee has obtained international council to commence a class action lawsuit against Equinor for their gross act of negligence. Mr. Wesley Campbell is Lead Advocate in Class Action Suite; Mr. Harold Adderley is Chairman of East End Restoration Committee; and Rev. Ricardo Ingraham is Deputy Chairman of the East End Restoration Committee.
