Oil cleanup drive in Korangi continues

KARACHI: The City District Government Karachi (CDGK) lodged an FIR against the officials that caused the crude oil pipeline damage that led to panic in the Korangi area.The Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) also suspended six senior officials and conducted an inquiry and the report will be submitted within the next 48-hours, Daily Times learnt on Thursday. Following the oil rain incident, various activities were seen in the area as the city government and town administration officials were seen busy cleaning the roads and inner streets inundated with thick layers of crude oil. Due to the heavy oil spill, more than 200 houses built along the PARCO main pipeline suffered majorly. The city government, SSGC and provincial health department set up camps in the area, which, were stocked with edible items, medical necessities, and potable water as the main natural gas supply was disconnected. The city government provided all necessary household commodities to the residents who were unable to reach their houses, as there was knee-deep crude oil on the roads besides the foul smell that kept the area inhabitable.The SSGC and Sindh government medical camps also have teams of doctors and paramedics who attended to the area residents who had sinus problems because of the smell of crude oil. The SSGC, through a notification, confirmed that six senior executives have been suspended for their negligence, which led to the incident while a high-level committee was also formed to conduct an inquiry on the matter. “The committee will submit its report within the next 48-hours to determine the causes,” it said. The SSGC also appreciated the cooperation of the city government and others in the operation.