local news

Headaches, from leaking fuel at sea

The plight faced by residents of Birzebbugia took yet another turn recently, when oil patches were seen floating on the water’s surface at Pretty Bay.

When the Environment Protection Department was informed about the smell, workers were immediately dispatched to attempt and establish the source of the smell. However, while a clean-up effort was underway, the wind had changed direction and carried the diesel out to sea.

At least the immediate problem was settled for the time being, but questions aimed at the Environment Protection Department, which was supposedly carrying an investigation into the source, apparently fell on deaf ears – as no reply to MaltaToday’s questions were put forward.

Residents of Birzebbugia are frequently treated to overwhelming smell of petrol, a problem obviously caused by the fuelling of tankers and other vessels from the Enemalta installation at Birzebbugia.

According to the recently published EU impact assessment reports, between Lm45 and Lm65 million will be required to limit discharges of pollutants into the sea, while the industries affected by the directive include Enemalta. However, the exact amount that the national power carrier will have to fork out is still unknown.

Under similar circumstances, many of the residents have complained of severe headaches and nausea emerging as a result of the powerful fumes, a natural reaction to the inhalation of dangerous substances.

Residents of the popular summer swimming spot reported an overwhelming stench in the air and expressed their concerns over the general amount of pollution in the area, an area frequented by young beachgoers every day during the summer.

However, Enemalta has continuously denied complicity in the matter.

Concerns along the same lines have been raised on numerous occasions in the past. One famous incident occurred when petrol had leaked into the surrounding sea area, contaminating the water and shoreline, much to the dismay of residents and summer swimmers, who were warned not to bathe in the area.

Events had culminated when the Birzebbugia Local Council placed a large boulder in front of the Enemalta facility’s gates in protest against the pollution. The boulder was shifted to the side, where it remains as a reminder.