The Maritime Administration Department is among a number of agencies that have responded to an oil spill from a bulk carrier vessel, which is docked at the Demerara Sugar Terminal Wharf. The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon.

The vessel was at the Ruimveldt port to load rice when the spill occurred, and was reported.

A coordinated response by teams from MARAD, the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard (GDF-CG) was immediately mobilised, and mitigating efforts are underway to stop the leak and contain the spill.

In addition, MARAD said an active investigation into the cause(s) of the incident is ongoing.

The oil spill comes as lawmakers are preparing to debate Oil Pollution, Prevention, Preparedness, Response, and Responsibility Bill 2025, which is expected to come up today for a Parliamentary debate.

The proposed Oil Spill legislation lays out a  legal framework designed to prevent oil spills through mandatory safety protocols, strengthen national preparedness, ensure timely, effective emergency response, enforce accountability among operators, offer redress to affected citizens and communities among others.

The Bill which laid by Prime Minister Mark Phillips will also provide for preventative and restorative compensatory measures in the event of oil spill incidents within the national territory. 

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