EMA to probe Erin explosions

THE Environmental Management Authority (EMA) has launched its own investigations into Saturday’s incident, in which explosives detonated in South Trinidad by the Halliburton company caused damage to several homes. The noise of the explosion caused residents of Buenos Ayres in Erin to experience temporary deafness. In a press release yesterday, EMA’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Dave Mc Intosh, stated the EMA would investigate whether Halliburton (Trinidad) Ltd contravened any of the regulations under the Environmental Management Act of 2000. In its release, the EMA made reference to the Noise Pollution Control Rules and the Certificate of Environmental Rules.

The EMA stated it had no prior knowledge of the exercise in which Halliburton destroyed hundreds of explosives that had become obsolete. The exercise took place at an abandoned quarry only 500 metres from residents’ homes. According to Mc Intosh, “The EMA will do everything in its power to protect the health of its citizens from these wanton acts of pollution.”