The Inquirer (Monrovia)
Patrick K. Wrokpoh
7 February 2008
A day after it was reported that there was a massive rush for oil in the Slipway Community after some residents reportedly claimed that they have discovered oil in the area, a team of geologists from the Ministry of Land Mines and Energy has attributed the 'oil spill' to leakages coming out of a previous oil storage or reservoir in the area.
The ministry's geology team, which was headed by Mr. Carlton Miller, Director of the Department of Geographical Survey, said it is the assumption of the team that the oil spill can be attributed to leakages from a previous storage source or a reservoir; contrary to the perception by most residents of the area that oil has been discovered from under the ground.
Speaking to this paper yesterday just after members of the team carried out a comprehensive analysis of the situation in the community, Mr. Miller said they were in the process of identifying the source of the oil which has infested one of the three major wells in the community.
Asked whether he thinks from what is obtaining in the community meant that the area is contaminated or could get contaminated, Mr. Miller said from what they have observed thus far, he cannot out rightly say that the area is contaminated but the possibility of a potential damage can not be over ruled.
Addressing himself to how long it would take his department to identify the source of the reported oil leakages, Mr. Miller said chemical analysis has to be performed to trace the source of where the oil is coming from before spreading to some quarters of the community.
According to him it would take some time but he stressed that the ministry is working along with the EPA in the process to identify the source of the problem.
Mr. Miller, who was flanked by the two other members of his team including the Public Relations Director of the Ministry Mr. Joseph Matadly, said the primary concern now of the ministry is how it can preserve the lives of the community dwellers, most of whom have started collecting the oil for commercial purposes.
He used the occasion to urge residents of the community not to drink from the well already infested with the oil spill or the others two major wells in the community, just in case they get infested with the oil also.
During the team's study of the situation they discovered that one of the major wells in the community, which has been in used since 1992, is infested with the oil. The well which is just 69 kilo meters away from the major collection center of the oil spill, according to residents is used for cooking, washing and other purposes.
Our reporter who was with the team said the team further visited the premises of GSM Provider Liber Cell, to ascertain where the company has been depositing its oil residual. During the visit, it was discovered that oil residual from a major pipe from the company's generator, was flooding downward from the company's Crown Hill offices to the Slipway Community; something which is suspected to be the source of the oil spill.
But when our reporter as well as members of the team attempted to meet with the LiberCell management on the issue, a security officer who is identified only as "Tony" said all senior staffer were out attending a meeting and that there is no one to talk with in the office.
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