The central government will extend every possible assistance to Kaohsiung for post-disaster reconstruction operations, Premier Jiang Yi-huah pledged today after leading the Cabinet meeting in a minute's silence to mourn the victims of underground pipeline explosions that rocked the city late July 31. He expressed deep grief for the 30 deaths (including six firefighters) and more than 300 people injured in the blast.
Jiang said the central government and the Kaohsiung City Government both established emergency operation centers immediately after the accident to channel all available resources to emergency rescue and relief operations. The Executive Yuan also sent a reply document to the city government yesterday (August 6) agreeing to Kaohsiung's request for financial support for reconstruction costs. The premier added that the city should follow the Disaster Prevention and Protection Act and draw first from its current year's disaster-relief budget. If this budget is insufficient, the central government will provide full assistance and make up any deficiencies.
After hearing the Cabinet's reports on early recovery efforts, Jiang said much more work lies ahead and instructed government agencies to move as quickly as possible. He asked the Ministry of Health and Welfare keep a close eye on treatments for the injured and shelters for displaced victims. The Ministry of National Defense should continue to assist Kaohsiung City Government to clear up household and road debris. Jiang also asked the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) and the Ministry of the Interior (MOI) to convene local governments to examine how utility pipelines, common ducts and underground box culverts are managed and maintained, and to set up inspection mechanisms. Citizens must have a safe environment where they can live free from fear, the premier added.
The Ministry of Justice was asked see to it that prosecutors get to the bottom of whether any companies were negligent in laying and managing the pipelines. Prosecutors will also investigate if the competent authorities followed legal procedures in approving pipeline installation applications and if they inspected and maintained the pipes routinely. Any agency that improperly delayed its response in the disaster should also face criminal liability.
With the blasts knocking out power and water in the area, Premier Jiang told the MOI to put a priority on the safety and utility needs of residents living on either side of the ruptured pipelines. The MOI should also help the Kaohsiung City Police Department maintain social order because public safety should not be a concern during the rebuilding period. Meanwhile, the MOI will prepare all drainage facilities to guard against possible flooding and typhoon rains that are common this time of year.
As for laws governing industrial underground pipelines, Minister without Portfolio Hsu Chun-yat will coordinate an inter-ministerial effort to study how other countries regulate their industries and to assess whether Taiwan's current laws require amending. This is to ensure the nation has a comprehensive framework for regulating the installment, inspection and maintenance of such pipelines.
In response to Kaohsiung's request for technical assistance from the state-owned oil refiner CPC Corp., Taiwan, Premier Jiang directed the MOEA to work closely with CPC in removing residual gases and fluids from the pipelines.
The petrochemical industry has been a major economic growth driver that created many jobs, Jiang said. However, Kaohsiung residents have borne a larger share of the environmental pollution and safety risks due to the many petrochemical plants located in the area. He hopes that government leaders and citizens around the country can empathize with Kaohsiung residents and rally together to give the city all the help it needs.
Thus far, aid has already poured in from the private sector, the cultural community and Internet groups, Jiang said. He hopes ministries will make safety a top priority going forward and help Kaohsiung shift to more sustainable industries that not only create local jobs but balance economic development between northern and southern Taiwan.