Thaindian News

WASHINGTON D.C. (BNO NEWS) – United States President Barack Obama on Friday hailed Admiral Thad Allen for his work as commander of the oil spill response effort as Allen announced his retirement from such position.

“I am profoundly grateful to Admiral Thad Allen for his years of dedicated service to America, and particularly his outstanding leadership of the BP Oil Spill response effort,” Obama said.

On Friday, Allen announces that the BP Oil Spill response effort was being dismantled. This means also his term as commander of such team. Adm. Allen was appointed by President Obama to lead the response effort.

“At a time when he could have enjoyed a well-deserved retirement from the United States Coast Guard, Admiral Allen stepped up to the plate and served his country when his skills and experience were urgently needed. This unprecedented response effort simply could not have succeeded without Admiral Allen at the helm, and the nation owes him a debt of gratitude,” Obama added.

Allen supervised all the efforts to stop the oil spill that severely damaged the Gulf Coast and its inhabitants. After months of work, the oil spill was controlled and stopped last August. The BP oil spill was the worst disaster by petroleum in U.S. history.

“As we continue to help the people of the Gulf Coast return to their lives and livelihoods, my administration’s work will continue to benefit from Admiral Allen’s selfless service and dedicated leadership. I wish him well in all of his future endeavors,” The U.S. president concluded.

“As I transition to a new phase of my professional life, I want to thank the thousands of individuals who worked tirelessly to contain the discharge, shut in the well, clean up the oil and mitigate the impacts of the spill,” Allen said in a statement.