The governor of Medénine, Habib Chaouat, told Tunis Afrique Press on Thursday, May 21 that an operation to evacuate ten tonnes of oil from a foreign freighter, which was stuck about 8 miles off the coast of Djerba, was scheduled for Thursday.

The project plan was jointly drawn involving all relevant stakeholders including the governorate of Médenine, the Tunisian Ministry of environment, the Merchant Navy, Civil Protection and the National Navy. The main purpose of the project was to prevent fuel spills at sea and avoid environmental damage.

According to the governor, the governorate of Médenine was to  take care of the logistics aspect of the operation by providing a tank for the transportation of the fuel, which was to be done by a professional company. After pumping the fuel, the Merchant Navy would either pull the 40 meters long cargo towards the coast or bury it at a depth of more than 50 meters where it would later be transformed into a refuge for the reproduction of marine fauna.

This is a step in the right direction by all parties involved. They have taken exemplary action by ensuring the health and safety of the environment and the people living around it.

About Tunisia

Médenine is the major town in South-Eastern Tunisia, 77 kilometres south of the port of Gabes and the Island of Djerba, on the main route to Libya. It is the capital of the Médenine Governorate.

Tunisia, is a small producer of oil and natural gas. The country, like other oil-producing African countries, exports crude oil and imports refined oil. Refined petroleum accounts for 7.35% and petroleum gas accounts for 4.23% of Tunisia’s import.