KARACHI, Aug 27: A high-level coordination committee has been formed to review the impact of the oil slick on environment and public health in its meetings to be held daily. The slick has been caused by spillage of thousands of tons of oil from the Greek vessel, Tasman Spirit which broke in a channel off the Karachi coast.

The committee headed by Chief Secretary Dr Mutawakkil Qazi has been formed on President Musharraf’s directive issued during a meeting at the Governor’s House here on August 25.

The meeting had discussed expediting the ongoing beach-cleaning operations, lighetrage, salvage operations, rehabilitation of environment and measures to assist the affected people.

According to a notification issued by the provincial department of services, general administration and coordination, the newly-formed coordination committee will provide a forum for all stake-holders to take necessary measures to overcome the losses and find out ways and means for an early redress of the worsening situation and restoration of environment, ecology and health conditions in the affected area.

The committee has the power to deal with the effects of the oil spill and assign role to all the agencies concerned for corrective measures, besides evolving an institutional framework for assessment of losses and recoupment.

The committee has also been empowered to seek assistance and co-operation from any government department. The committee will hold its first meeting on Thursday, August 28, at Sindh Secretariat

The chairman of the Karachi Port Trust is the secretary of the committee whose other members are Sindh home secretary, secretary information, secretary environment, secretary fisheries, secretary health, IGP Sindh, director general Rangers Sindh, COMKAR, administrator defence Housing Authority (DHA), DCO Karachi, director general Maritime Security Agency, director general Ports and Shipping, commander Marine Security Agency, managing director Karachi Fish Harbour Authority and director general environment Sindh.—PPI