There is no reason to worry that the authorities responsible for security issues in Latvia have missed out on the supervision of ammonium nitrate storage facilities, said Juris Rancāns (JKP), Chairman of the Saeima Defense, Interior and Corruption Prevention Commission.
When events like the tragedy in Beirut occur in the world, they pay attention to the relevant issue, Rancāns pointed out. The politician also expressed condolences to the relatives and victims of the victims.
If necessary, Rancāns allows the possibility to contact the controlling authorities about the situation in areas of increased danger. In the future, the politician intends to discuss this issue with the Minister of the Interior Sandis Ģirģens (KPV LV).
At the same time, Rancāns criticizes the situation that the civil protection plan, which was felt by the state during the Covid-19 crisis, has not been renewed since the time of the previous government. At the Saeima session in the autumn, the Commission will pay attention to the adoption of a new civil protection plan by the government.
Asked about other priorities of the Defense Commission at the autumn session of the Saeima, the politician indicated that it was planned to complete the work delayed due to the Covid-19 crisis. The Commission will have to complete work on the forthcoming Law on the State Border Guard, as well as work on the Ministry of Defense’s proposal to allow the admission of persons convicted of minor offenses before reaching the age of majority. It is also planned to hear a report from the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) on the progress made in the field of anti-corruption, the politician pointed out.
It is not yet known whether the commission meetings in the autumn session will take place in person or remotely, Rancāns added.
As reported, on January 1 of this year, there were six high-risk facilities in Latvia where ammonium nitrate or mineral fertilizers containing it are or may be stored, five of which may or may contain more than 50 tons, LETA previously informed the State Environmental Service.
Later, the State Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) indicated that it had prepared a draft updated list of high-risk facilities located in Latvia, which also included 13 facilities related to the ammonium nitrate fertilizer business.
The SFRS stated that it regularly inspects high-risk objects, including ammonium nitrate fertilizer storage facilities, in accordance with its competence. No significant irregularities have been detected in recent years.
It was also reported that 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate in agricultural fertilizers exploded in the Lebanese capital Beirut on Tuesday, which was stored in a port warehouse for six years.
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