Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson said yesterday the government had nothing to hide in relation to a gasoline spill at the Rubis gas station on Robinson Road, and apologized for not releasing a consultants report sooner.

Maynard-Gibson's apology came two weeks after she suggested the release of the Black & Veatch report into the spill had not been delayed. Her apology followed a general statement of regret from the government on Sunday, amid widespread public anger over its handling of this matter.

"As the government we understand, we should have released the report sooner," she said. "For the failure to release it sooner, we express our sincere regret and we apologize."

On April 20, she said, "I can not say that there was a postponement of the release of the [report] and I think it's premature to make any indication about what steps the government will take in relation to the matter."

The report was completed on February 20, 2014 but wasn't released until April 17, 2015 after angry residents questioned the delay. The report concluded that residents who live and work near the Robinson Road station were exposed to chemicals that could create health risks. The spill took place more than two years ago. The first town meeting organized by the government took place on April 16, 2015.

Speaking at a press conference at the Ministry of Health yesterday, the attorney general insisted that the release of the report makes it clear that there was "no intention on the part of the government to conceal anything in the report".

Marathon MP Jerome Fitzgerald and Environment Minister Kenred Dorsett had repeatedly insisted the report was not made available sooner because it was turned over to the attorney general for consideration on the way forward after it was brought to Cabinet last year.

On Sunday, the government said, "We also wish to express our sincere regret for government's delay in releasing the Black and Veatch report, which assessed government's response, and Rubis' compliance with remediation steps.

"An initial analysis of the report's release reveals that poor coordination and administration led to the delay."

At the press conference, Fitzgerald, who has also come under fire for not revealing the report to his constituents, acknowledged that the delay in the release of the report was "regrettable".

"It is clear to me that we have taken significant steps to resolve that delay. As I have said before I am satisfied that the government's remediation efforts were and are appropriate," he said. "What continues to be of concern, however, is the amount of only partially informed and at times partisan speculation to emerge from the situation created.

"Neither members of Parliament or governments have the luxury when the well being of their people is at stake to improvise with regard to responses.

"While the government did move swiftly to remediate the impact of the spill it was rightfully measured in drawing any conclusions about the accident. What we do, what we say and what we conclude in matters such as this must be informed by scientists, environment experts and health experts of the highest order."

The government has been harshly criticized for the delay in releasing the report.

Last week, Fort Charlotte MP Andre Rollins questioned, "What motivation did this government have that they would want to keep this information secret?"

Remediation
Dorsett insisted that the spill has been contained even though he admitted that several commercial buildings near the spill site have not been tested. Dorsett said some commercial buildings have refused to allow the government access to their properties. However, he advised that the government has determined to go forward with the remediation work of all commercial properties nonetheless.

"For those commercial buildings that did not allow the government or the remediation companies access, we have taken a position that in the matter of public interest we will proceed with those remediation works," Dorsett said.

Dorsett, Maynard-Gibson, Fitzgerald and Chief Medical Officer Glen Beneby all provided updates on the government's efforts to address the spill.

"All contaminants in water and soil in the properties to which we have been given access have been eliminated," Dorsett said. "The Rubis spill is contained and the results of testing for contamination levels in wells, residences and businesses at all affected areas have been made public."

However, he added that until there is independent scientific verification to confirm that ground water is "completely safe", nobody in the area should use ground water.

Beneby said the government in partnership with Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) began the screening process for residents in the five homes that were most affected yesterday. Screening tests will be completed by June 1. It is unclear how many residents will be screened.

"The focus will be on the five residences, but that focus will expand further out within the catchment area within the Marathon constituency," Beneby said.

According to the Black & Veatch's report, a sample of homes tested in the vicinity of the Rubis spill in May 2013 revealed contamination concentrations of benzene that were hundreds of times, and in some cases thousands of times higher than acceptable screening levels in the United States.

Beneby said subsequent tests done in March 2014 have revealed the presence of benzene and other potential contaminants were at acceptable levels.

"At the present time the available scientific findings strongly suggest that there is no danger to the community in that area," he said. "In the interest of public health however we will continue testing and monitoring the situation for the next several years."

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