Lack of oil spill laws
The MP discussed that even though Myanmar is party to Annex (I) with the International Maritime Organization, we do not have any laws addressing damage from oil spills. He urged the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation and the Ministry of Transport and Communications to swiftly collaborate on this matter for the benefit of the nation and the people.
MP U Maung Maung Ohn’s motion concerned putting in place preventive measures, laws and directives to protect the natural ecosystems and businesses in all states and regions of Myanmar that are located along the coastline. But it also highlighted the 300,000-ton oil tankers currently passing through Made Island deep sea port in Rakhine State.
These tankers transport crude oil that will be delivered to China through a pipeline and MP U Maung Maung Ohn pointed out that the enormous sea vessels can have an accident any time that may result in heavy oil pollution.
No laws means no compensation
The MP said in the case of oil spills international protocol dictates that the vessel owner and their insurance company follow the laws of the country where the incident occurred when paying compensation. But since Myanmar does not have any laws related to oil spills, it will be impossible to press charges nor receive and compensation, said MP U Maung Maung Ohn. He added that vessels normally need to have USD1 billion in insurance to be able to compensate for oil spills.
There are two oil and gas pipelines in Rakhine State that deliver approximately 22 million tons of crude oil every year. The two pipelines are operated by SEAGP, a Hong Kong-based company co-founded by Chinese CNPC-SEAP and Myanmar’s MOGE. These two pipeline projects receive six to seven oil tankers a month, which is about 70 tankers a year, and accidents related to them can occur at any time, said MP U Maung Maung Ohn.
Future oil-related projects
He added that the natural gas turbine generator project is about to begin in Shwe Taung Yan Mee Lin Chaing area, Pathein Township, Ayeyawady Region, and will see LNG carriers from Swiss-based Clearlake Shipping Co. entering Myanmar’s waters. This, he said, will increase the chances for disastrous oil spills and its dire consequences which includes oil spills occurring in Myanmar’s waters to spread to neighbouring countries.
The Amyotha Hluttaw Speaker then called for the deliberation of the Hluttaw, gained approval, and asked for MPs interested in discussing the motion to register their names.
Health & Sports Minister replies to questions
Next, U Myo Htet (a) Salai Myo of Chin State constituency 12 raised a question asking whether the Rural Health sub-centre in Wat Ma village, Paletwa Township, Chin State, will be upgraded to centre level.
Dr. Myint Htwe, Union Minister for Health and Sports, replied that they have petitioned plans for upgrading Wat Ma rural health centre to various ministry departments and will follow submit the plans at the Union Government meeting if they receive approvals.
Next, U Kyaw Thaung of Sagaing Region constituency 1 raised a question asking if there are plans to upgrade the rural health sub-centre in Twin Gyi village-tract, Myaung Township, Sagaing Region, to centre level.
Dr. Myint Htwe replied there were no plans to upgrade the sub-department as it is only two miles far from Ma KyeeBote station hospital and Ma KyeeBote rural healthcare sub-department and upgrading it would reduce the coverage area of the Ma KyeeBote department.
Next, Dr. Myint Htwe replied to questions raised by U Thein Swe of Ayeyawady Region constituency 10, Daw Thiri Yadanar of Mon State constituency 12, and U Hla Oo of Sagaing Region constituency 4.
Following this, the Speaker announced that the Bill Committee has submitted the ‘2019 Bill to Amend the Myanmar Investment Law’ and since there are no MPs who have registered to discuss the bill, each passage of it will be read to the Hluttaw for approval.
U Thaung Tun, Union Minister for Investment and Foreign Economic Relations, tabled a motion to improve the bill and U Zaw Hein of Taninthayi Region constituency 7 seconded the motion.
The Speaker gathered the deliberation of the Hluttaw and announced the bill as approved.
Mawsi, Lu Maw
Translated by Zaw Htet Oo
PHOTO : MNA
Ref : The Global New Light of Myanmar
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