The National Emergency Monitoring System (NEMS) is currently monitoring an eruption of natural gas which occurred in Mabaruma, Barima-Waini (Region One) Monday afternoon.
Based on information deceived, a businessman was reportedly drilling a well at Kumaka Water Front on his private property when he came into contact with suspected natural gas.
This was confirmed by Regional Chairman Brentnol Ashley who told the Guyana Times International that several agencies including the Guyana Water Inc (GWI), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Hydromet Department have been contacted to conduct an assessment.
It is unclear whether the businessman had relevant permission to drill a well on his property.
However, a resident residing close to where the spill occurred by related that she observed “slush” erupting from the ground.
She said she was not pay heed until she noticed that it started to spread rapidly and continued to “bubble” at a fast rate.
“I know they were drilling for a well in a private capacity. Not for GWI or anything. And I heard a noise and when I came out, I saw the greyish slushy mud bubbling and it started to get bigger and bigger then started spilling up into the air. I quickly ran inside and lock up my door and left the area because I was afraid and I didn’t know was what,” she said.
Meanwhile, Head of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Kester Craig in a social media post stated that an investigation is currently underway with respect to an eruption of natural gas in Kumaka, Barima-Waini (Region One).
He added that the situation is currently being monitored by the National Emergency Monitoring System (NEMS).
It was later confirmed by CDC Senior Response Officer, Salim October that the eruption was as a result of a Brazilian company drilling a water well at the location.
He noted that the EPA is liaising closely with the Regional Environmental Officer as an assessment of the situation is being conducted.
In June 2018, a similar occurrence at the Diamond New Housing Scheme which plastered several buildings with mud as a resident attempted to drill a well.
The well was being dug by a resident of one of the affected houses when it exploded and spurted water, mud and methane gas continuously.
It was believed that a pocket of methane gas exploded underground as a result of the drilling of the well.
