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SINGAPORE – The clean-up operations of all affected beaches from the oil spill will likely be completed in the next one month or so, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu said in Parliament on August 7. She was responding to a question posed by Mr Dennis Tan (Hougang) on the status of clean-up efforts following the oil spill incident at Pasir Panjang Terminal on June 14. “The first phase has been completed and the second phase – focusing on areas which are difficult to clean – is well underway. Some beaches have progressed to the final phase where volunteers are mobilised to help,” said Ms Fu. The first phase of the clean-up focused on removing oil slicks and contaminated sand from the surface of the affected beaches and deploying booms to avoid further contamination. The next phase is aimed at removing oil from difficult-to-clean areas like rock bunds, breakwaters, and oil trapped deeper in the sand. In the final phases, beaches are combed to remove “tar balls” – small oil deposits that have hardened and mixed with sand. after extensive cleaning efforts sped up the process. The work was completed in 1½ months, which was half the time it was originally expected to take. The Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) said on Aug 3 that Palawan Beach and Tanjong Beach will reopen in August after cleaning is completed. for land-based activities, said Ms Fu. Since July 22, cleanups at East Coast Park Areas B and E have been completed, and the cordon has been lifted. The other areas – C, D, F, G and H – remain closed. Mr Tan also asked about the total expenses incurred from the cleanup of the beaches and coastal waters, whether the Government has an estimate on the losses suffered by local businesses as a result of the pollution, and whether an update can be provided on the assistance given to these affected businesses. In response, Ms Fu said that the Government has not totalled up the expenses, as the attention has so far been focused on the clean-up operations.