Vopak’s facilities will undergo a multi-million rand petrol storage expansion, increasing capacity from 19,000m3 to 64,000m3 at the Farewell-King site and from 9,000m3 to 60,000m3 at the Fynn site.
“Vopak has a history of withholding critical information to residents on the Bluff, such as the monitoring of the toxic chemicals that are stored on its premises as well as the risk assessments. This is hypocrisy of the worst kind and double standards. I say this because in Netherlands they conform to stringent EU standards,” said SDCEA co-ordinator, Desmond D’Sa.
The SDCEA believes benzene levels will rise because of this expansion, causing cancer and leukaemia rates, already believed to be widespread within the SDB, to increase. “According to our studies, theses illnesses are 500 times the current norm in the area and will increase to 1,500 if Vopak goes ahead with its programme,” said D’Sa.
“Over the years Vopak has tried to cover up and deny major incidents that had occurred all over the world. At present they are on the fence line of communities and are not showing any regard for the health of the surrounding residents.
It is outrageous to make people suffer simply because of greed.”
– erinh@dbn.caxton.co.za
