The Mauritius government says it will set up a court of investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the July 25 oil spill off the Island’s coast.
The Mauritius Attorney General, Minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security, Mr Maneesh Gobin, said a preliminary enquiry would first be concluded and its findings would then determine a comprehensive set of terms of reference which would be presented before a Court of investigation
On the issue of claims to be made to the bulk carrier’s insurer, Mr Gobin underscored said the Government would seek assistance of two experts.
An environmental and social assessment of the oil spill would be carried out by one expert, while the other one will deal with the legal claims, he pointed out.
Compensation
On his part the Minister of Energy and Public Utilities, Mr Georges Pierre Lesjongard, said people who have suffered losses and have been adversely affected by the grounding of the bulk carrier have been requested to submit their claims, adding that the registration process was currently ongoing.
He assured that the government would do its utmost best to assist all those who are affected by this ecological catastrophe.
It will be recalled that a Japanese oil vessel – MV Wakashio – got grounded at Pointe d’Esny’, leading to 1000 tonnes of oil spilling into the ocean environment.
