Authority to probe alleged leak

By GLORIA BAUAI
CONSERVATION and Environment Protection Authority (Cepa) officials are expected to arrive in Lae today to start their investigation on the vessel that allegedly discharged ammonia gas on Sunday.
Acting director, environment protection renewables, Brendan Trawen – who will be leading the team – said they would release an official response soon.
“Upon investigations on the ground, Cepa will take the next course of action to deal with the incident,” he said.
“So far, we have been communicating on the incident through collaborative efforts of the Morobe administration (environment team) and the Lae City Authority team.”
On Sunday, the alleged ammonia gas leakage from a Frabelle (PNG) Limited fishing vessel anchored off the DCA Beachfront, hospitalised at least five persons, according to St John Ambulance personnel, who were the first responders to the incident. They confirmed two were children.
The National Maritime Safety Authority has already launched its investigation.
The National Fisheries Authority has not responded to The National’s attempts to get a comment.
Lae City Authority chief executive officer Robin Calistus said he was not aware of the incident, other than what he had read in news reports.
He clarified that LCA had no jurisdiction over the sea and could not take any action or make a comment on the matter.
“Because it is an incident that occurred at sea, we will let the National Maritime Safety Authority do its work,” he said.
“But I will also get our health inspectors to respond to this tomorrow.”