Flood damage suffered at the PetroCaribe plant in Dominica has not affected its operations, except in the case of LPG but distribution in this area will recommence very soon.
The LPG shed at the plant was severely damaged following the passage of Tropical Storm Erika and approximately 1,000 cylinders were lost as a result. These cylinders are being replaced three times over as some 3,000 cylinders should arrive on the island by September 6, 2015.
According to Denise Charles, Sales & Marketing Leader, the Company’s major concern was the safety of staff and their ability to supply customers. “I am happy to report that we were able to supply our major customer, DOMLEC, with diesel the day after the storm. It hasn’t hampered our operations in terms of supplying our customers. We just had to change the manner in which we do it so we had our manual systems operating and we’re still supplying the majority of our customers,” she said.
The plant suffered mainly from flood damage and they are currently dealing with a lot of debris, mud, tree trunks and derelict vehicles on the plant itself. However, the Company is reporting minor damage to buildings, save for the flooding of the electrical rooms where outlets would have to be replaced, and no apparent damage to their equipment.
However, Ms. Charles said that assessment of the situation is ongoing. “We are still doing assessments. We just had a team from Venezuela that came in on Tuesday and they are doing an assessment of electrical and engineering works. Our parent company PDVSA has been very supportive. As soon as they heard of the storm, they arranged for supplies to be sent to the plant. Teams came not only to help PDV Caribe but also to help the Nation and they’ve been very responsive. Even as we speak, a vessel is coming in with heavy equipment and supplies to get the recovery efforts going,” she added.
Ms. Charles praised the very hard-working, dedicated team. “We have two employees who stay nearby and the day of the storm they came on the plant and began to assess what was happening and secure the facility because it was totally exposed. Since then we all have our boots on and are working hard.”
PetroCaribe has a staff complement of approximately 40 persons.
One thing about DA is that they certainly do not think and plan ahead when they know what kinds of disasters can befall the island. Most of them have to do with wind, water and contamination.
Too much negativity. Thanks Petro Caribe! So happy that you did not suffer too much loss. Keep your boots on and we re all the time watching your backs§! Viva Petro Caribe!
That is why the Americans were not there the next day. My husba nd arrived the next day of Hurricane DAVId cause he worked with a Television stat tion And he met the American Govt. in D.A People the U.s Govt. was kicked out of Dominica When are you all going to wake up to that. Your leader is not truthful. He should have consulted the people of Dominica before he took that move. Please do not blame the U.S. Govt’
As if Petrocaribe is the only player in town! We shave Sol (Shell) too you know.
Of all the lessons to be learnt asa result of Erika’s devastation due to flood waters, one should stand out.
The building of those fuel tanks in Jimmit,, on the banks of the Belfast river, was irresponsible.
Imagine the disaster, the negative environmental effect, the kind of oil spill, that would engulf the entire Mahaut, Massacre, Canefield,, possibly as far as Roseau to the South, and Layou, Tarreau, St. Joseph and further down towards the North, if those fuel tanks were damaged.
My people just picture the kind of disaster. Authorities have been warned by concerned citizens, environmentalists, but to no avail.
We have witnessed a total lack of concern for environmental conservation and preservation. Some have been advocating for proper land Use policies, yet anything goes. Land carved out in our Cabrits National Park. For what, hotel? No EIA? Problem !!!!!
Petro Caribe fuel tanks, on the bank of that big river, a huge risk and disaster waiting to…
You made some very germane points which should be of concern to all Dominicans. My question(s) though is with regards to whether or not an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was carried out before this operation was sited so close to the river. Furthermore, if indeed an EIA was conducted, did the EIA cite this risk? And if it did not cite this risk, then what reason(s) could be given to justify its exclusion?