July 29, 2010
KOSMOS fined over oil spillage

Jubilee partner Kosmos Energy has been fined as part of a twenty-point recommendation by a committee established to investigate environmental spills involving the company.

The committee was tasked to investigate a total of three spills. Two of the incidents in December last year and March this year involved 591 barrels of low toxicity oil-based-mud.

Deputy Minister of Environment Science and Technology, Dr Omane Boamah says the committee established negligence on the part of Kosmos in the first and second spills.

He would however not mention the proposed fine when he addressed a news conference Thursday morning.

“We were able to establish negligence on the part of KOSMOS in the first case; in the second, case we were also able to establish negligence because they differed their own planned preventive maintenance schedule that had been put in place.”

He said the measure is not to make it a punishment but to serve as a signal that government will not tolerate acts that will affect Ghana’s ecosystem.

Receiving the recommendation, Environment and science Minister, Sherry Aryeetey said government will study the report before making a final decision.

“I also want to assure you that this report is going to be studied; We will also offer KOSMOS to present their comment on the report before the ministry takes a final decision.

Source: Joy Business