Bucket Brigade visits refineries and briefs management and city officials in Durban!

Since the first update, the Bucket Brigade has been busy with visits to the Shell/BP and Engen refineries along with high level meetings with company officials and city officials.

On Wednesday, 17th of May, Shell/BP management took us on an official site tour of their facility.

Shell/BP refinery flare and smokestacks tower into South Durban's skies.  Blue skies turn into smokey haze above the tanks and other pollution sources creating a potent toxic soup of health threatening chemicals.  Asthma rates for children are 3 to 4 times higher in the area than in comparable zones in the region.
 
 
 

Aging equipment is allowed to operate for 4 to 6 years before it is shutdown for maintenance. 

Bucket Brigade Delegation and Shell/BP officials pose
for an official photo at the refinery gate.

 

On Wednesday afternoon we visited the Engen facility and went on an official site visit with their Chief Environmental Engineer.


The Engen refinery has been in South Durban only since 1954.  Recently the Malaysian government owned Petronas bought the refinery.


Old toxic drums and aparthied era security fences create a blighted eyesore against the backdrop of Wentworth neighborhood.

Historic joint meeting with top management from both refineries!


Refinery officials listen to presentations about successful refinery improvement models based on community action.

On Thursday, 18th May, the Bucket Brigade met at Durban City Hall with the Deputy Mayor Mavundla in attendance. Many officials from the health, economic and environmental departments were also present for the briefing.


Durban city officials listen to the Bucket Brigade team presentation on sustainable economics and environmental regulation by Shipra Bansal.  A number of studies have proven that a healthy economy is dependent on a clean environment and strong community participation.

Stay tuned for further updates on the community Bucket Brigade Training on Saturday.

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If you want to contact us on the road, please email us at: hkalan@igc.org