WALU Bay in Suva faced considerable disruptions yesterday due to an oil leak at the Petro Oceania Fuels Terminal located on Foster Road. The incident led to the temporary closure of several local businesses, requiring the evacuation of workers for safety reasons.
Responding promptly to the leak, the National Fire Authority (NFA) shut down key streets in the Walu Bay area, particularly Syria and Argo streets, as they worked diligently to manage the situation and secure public safety. Authorities have urged both motorists and pedestrians to avoid the affected regions and to utilize alternative routes. Police established cordons, hence restricting access to Foster Road from Suva and at the roundabout leading to Reservoir Road. Traffic flows have been redirected, with vehicles from Suva being guided to Edinburgh Drive, while those coming from Lami were instructed to take Reservoir Road.
NFA officials have assured the community that updates related to road openings would be provided as the situation unfolds. An investigation is currently being conducted to ascertain the cause of the fuel leak. Joel Israel, the acting chief executive officer of the NFA, confirmed that they have the situation under control and that further evaluations and mitigation strategies are being formulated. He also noted that the National Disaster Management Office had been informed and was closely monitoring developments.
While such incidents may raise concerns within the community, the prompt actions taken by local authorities have reinforced public safety and demonstrated an efficient response to the leak. This quick intervention serves as a reminder of the resilience of emergency services in managing environmental hazards effectively.