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Joan Tsikira Herald Reporter
The Environmental Management Authority (EMA) has pressed charges against Bowell Logistics whose fuel tanker spilled 18 000 litres of diesel causing accidents which damaged 15 vehicles on Saturday.
EMA spokesperson Mr Steady Kangata said they had opened a docket in which Bowell will be charged for contravening Section 73 of the EMA Act CAP 20:27.
Mr Kangata said the Act prohibited discharge of hazardous chemicals and materials or oil into the environment.
Initially, Mr Wellington Bikiti, a manager at Bowell Logistics, had estimated the tanker was carrying 10 000 litres of diesel but investigations by EMA put the figure at 18 000 litres.
“The Bowell Logistics truck was loaded with 18 000 litres of diesel from the NOIC that was to be delivered to the companys Southerton depot and a total of 18 000 litres was spilt into the environment and on the tarred roads contaminating a stretch of 11,3 kilometres,” Mr Kangata said.
“A number of organisations have been working together to rectify the problem as the roads fall under different institutions. The major part of the spillage is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Roads in the Ministry of Transport and other areas are under City of Harare and Intertow.”
Mr Kangata also said the spillage was caused by a cracked pipe on the tanker.
“The driver had decided to use a short cut as a way of avoiding EMA and it is unfortunate that the first road used was not official and then later decided to divert there by spilling all the way to Airport Road.
Curity Spill Response Company principal contractor Mr Tawanda Marongwe confirmed that they had started treatment of the contaminated soil.
The affected roads are Delport Road from NOIC, along Mutare Road, Robert Mugabe Road, Dieppe Road to the intersection of Seke and Cripps roads.
Online Reporter