The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is supporting the delivery of a four-day workshop to assist in the review and updating of the country’s Oil Spill Contingency Plan.
The workshop which began today (Monday) is being held at the National Office of Disaster Services (NODS) in collaboration with the Antigua and Barbuda Department of Marine Services and Merchant Shipping (ADOMS).
It is targeting representatives from several organizations to include the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force, the Department of Environment, the Police and Fire Departments, the Ministry of Health, West Indies Oil Company, the Ministries of Tourism and Agriculture, the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA), among others.
The sessions aim to enhance participants’ knowledge of pollution preparedness and response matters and will also confirm and clarify the roles, responsibilities and requirements for establishing an adequate command structure for the effective management of a response to a spill affecting Antigua and Barbuda.
Participants will be trained on the use of the Readiness Evaluation Tool for Oil Spills (RETOS) to efficiently enable Antigua and Barbuda to conduct its own assessment and identify gaps for further action.
Speaking on the opening day of the workshop, Permanent Secretary Sarah Stuart, spoke on behalf of the Minister of Social and Urban Transformation Hon. Rawdon Turner. She noted the importance of placing focus on oil pollution considering that the island has hundreds of beaches.
ADOM’s representative Katarina Thompson says oil pollution presents a significant threat to the island and this training serves as an invaluable resource.
Vivian Rambarath-Parasram from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) notes that the region has not had a major oil spill disaster in a while. She says we have a long way to go in terms of enhancing regional cooperation and IMO is here to support the region. Participants would be responsible for being a part of the National Marine Pollution Committee in the event of a pollution incident.