Government Making Strides with Amendments to Petroleum Ordinance

~~Adz:Right~~Thursday, December 4 – Government is making strides with amending the Petroleum Ordinance.

Mr. Leonard Reed, a retired Assistant Director with the Environmental Protection Unit of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources with the Government of the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) has been contracted as a consultant to assist with re-drafting the petroleum rules. 

Mr. Reed who has more than 18 years experience in the environmental protection field and more than 42 years as a public servant, conducts consultancies with public and private agencies on environmental issues.

Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works Mrs. Myrna Ferdinand said Mr. Reed has already submitted the first draft, which deals specifically with the oil spill prevention act. “The Ministry is in the process of consulting with all stakeholders about the draft as the first step to moving the amendments forward,” Mrs. Ferdinand added.

Government’s commitment to updating the Petroleum Ordinance was reiterated by  Governor David Pearey during his presentation  of the Speech from the Throne at the first sitting of the second session of the First House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands. “Government is committed to establishing safety standards to prevent potential risks to property and life and as such will amend the Petroleum Ordinance,” Governor Pearey stated. 
 
The Governor  added that the amendments will bring the British Virgin Islands requirements in line with international standards, recommended practices and guidelines regarding the bulk storage and handling of petroleum products.

Government is working diligently towards the implementation of Petroleum Ordinance to regulate all aspects of the petroleum industry and its by-products within the Territory. This includes matters relating to storage, transportation, distribution, general handling, spillage and disposal.