A Tier 1 oil spill response drill was conducted today at Senari Synergy Oil, Gas and Chemicals (OGC) port, an event spearheaded by Department of Environment (DOE) Sarawak in collaboration with Independent Oil Terminal Management Sdn Bhd (IOTM), a subsidiary of Senari Synergy Sdn Bhd. The OGC port, managed by Senari Synergy Port Sdn Bhd, is the only one in the Southern Region of Sarawak responsible for the receiving of petroleum and palm oil products that will be stored into dedicated storage tanks at independent oil storage terminal and the nearby palm oil bulking facilities. These facilities are located within the Senari Synergy Industrial Complex at Jalan Bako.

Tuan Mohamad Zaihan bin Hj Lek, Ketua Penolong Pengarah (Operasi), Department of Environment informed the objective of the drill is to determine the preparedness of the industry players in responding to any unprecedented oil spill incidents along Sarawak rivers. This involves the competency of personnel in executing the oil spill response contingencies plan, efficiency of oil spill and other related equipment and the effectiveness of the communications between local authorities and the private sector during such incidences.

DOE (Sarawak) commended IOT Management Sdn Bhd and Senari Synergy Port Sdn Bhd on their commitment in ensuring their preparedness, prevention, and response plan to mitigate any environmental damages from any hazardous waste during its operations remain intact. The drill that started at 0830 hours was successfully completed at 1030 hours, well ahead of the expected time of 1230 hours.

The drill was participated, amongst others by Jabatan Laut, Sarawak Rivers Board, Bomba and Polis Diraja Malaysia (Kuching). Also present were other local authorities such as Dewan Bandaraya Kuching Utara, DOSH, PIMMAG and others.