NGOs protest TotalFinaElf?s pipes installation in Kalimantan

Environmental groups, the Mining Advisory Network (Jatam) and the Indonesian Environmental Group (Walhi) protested on Friday the construction of a pipeline network at a canal in Tani baru village, Anggana district of the Kutai Kertanegara regency, East Kalimantan for its possible negative impact on the environment.

The pipeline network which is being built by oil and gas producer PT TotalFinaElf E&P did not meet the safety requirement, according to Syarifuddin, the chairman of Walhi?s East Kalimantan branch said that the pipes which were installed at only 4 meter depth under the ground were still vulnerable for possible leakage. According to him, the leakage would cause a serious problem to the environment.

Meanwhile Nurhidayat of Jatam said that the new pipeline project could repeat the incident, which occurred during the dredging of the canal.

?Many fishes were dead at the time. Many farmers suffer loss because their fish and shrimp at the canal died,? he said.

PT Total?s spokesman Nurl Fazrie said that the NGOs should first prove their charge before issuing their protests. He said that the installation of the pipeline had received approval from the local government. ?The NGOs should therefore address their protests to the government,? he said. (*)