KARACHI, Sept 1: The high-level coordination committee constituted under the directives of President Musharraf was informed here this evening that the oil spillage had finally been stopped from the broken oil tanker Tasman Spirit.

The meeting, presided over by Chief Secretary Dr Mutawakil Kazi at Sindh Secretariat, reviewed the present position aroused due to oil spillage from the vessel and measures being initiated to combat the situation.

The chief secretary urged the participants of the meeting that all the stake-holders should mobilize their resources on emergency basis to meet this devastation in the best interest of citizens and marine life as well.

The meeting was informed that the experts, Stephen Micallef of the Unites Nation Environment Programme, Comma Lecat of the International Tanker Owner Pollution Federation and Richard Stinea of the IUCN would join the teams, assigned with beach cleaning operation. The experts would also extend advice on modern methods to the teams.

It was decided that the beach cleaning operation would jointly be carried out by the city government, Karachi Port Trust, Defence Housing Authority and Environment Protection Agency.

The chief secretary asked the departments concerned to submit the report on medical and marine surveys regarding the disaster, caused by oil spillage from the ship.

All the members of the coordination committee participated in the meeting, which lasted for two hours.

HEALTH PROGRAMME: On completion of lighterage operation in the wake of grounding of oil tanker Tasman Spirit, the KPT has announced to conduct “Healthcare programme” for the affected residents.

The camp, being set up at the roundabout near McDonald’s, will offer free diagnosis and treatment to the affected residents of the area from Tuesday onwards. Doctors will be available from 8.30am to 8.30pm at the camp. An ambulance service has also been arranged to reach every house in the locality.

According to the KPT, the campaign will be carried out in three distinct phases — Peak Flow Meter Test, Spiro-Meter Test and Laboratory Test— for which equipment has already been imported. Those failing in tests will be immediately admitted to Civil Hospital.

The programme will be carried out on Sept 3 & 6 at Shireen Jinnah Colony, Sept 4 & 7 at Sea View Apartments and Sept 5 & 8 at Phase-VII. The residents of these areas have been requested to cooperate with the KPT staff for the success of the programme.—PPI/APP