Marabella resident Akimoo Roger says his son, daughter and wife are still sick and is calling on state-owned oil company Petrotrin to release medical reports and provide compensation for residents. In August, oil escaped from Petrotrin’s Pointe-a-Pierre refinery when one of its tanks (MP 6) failed and the oil found its way into the Guaracara River
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Residents complained of illnesses and dead fish in the river and Petrotrin responded by placing oil booms in the area and cleaning up while treating residents at its Augustus Long Hospital. Four months later, residents are desperate. One woman, Wendy Brewster, who stood on Wrightson Road, outside the Parliament building, wearing a gas mask, said since the spill she had problems breathing, liver problems and was seeing a doctor for several other health issues.
She added: “For about two months I tried to remain in Marabella but I kept getting sick and eventually I had to move out of the area and into my brother’s apartment.\\“I have asked for my medical records to show to another doctor and the Augustus Long Hospital refuses to give it to me.”
Brewster said whenever rain fell, oil rose to the surface of the river. None of the other residents were able to move out as they say they have nowhere to go. They live on Battoo Avenue, Marabella, and only a river separates them from oil tanks owned14 by Petrotrin.
They raised concern yesterday over the state of the remaining oil tanks, fearful that at any moment things could get worse. They say they have not received any compensation and want to be relocated, as they fear their environment is not safe.