Energy Minister Dr. Roodal Moonilal says a public advisory was not required for the oil spill in the Gulf of Paria on May 1st since it was classified as a tier one, or “small spill”.
Today in the Parliament, he responded to questions from former Energy Minister Stuart Young on whether contact had been made with Venezuela’s Energy Minister.
Dr. Moonilal said a communiqué was first sent through diplomatic channels, with a statement from the Energy Ministry delivered to the Venezuelan Ambassador on May 9th.
The Minister added that between 2019 and 2021, there were 76 “small spills” for which no statements were issued, since he said public advisories are typically reserved for tier two and tier three spills with greater environmental impact.
