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Karl Schembri
A group of residents from Wardija yesterday gathered to protest against a mobile telephone antenna being erected by Vodafone on government land in their midst, claiming health hazards and breaching of MEPA regulations.
The area, known as Ta’ Kossimu, is close to a school for children with special needs and residences of the small Wardija community.
The residents yesterday announced they were forming an action committee including the St Paul’s Bay local council, to combat the development on environmental and health grounds.
They said around 50 electricity poles were erected illegally around the area to supply the telecommunications base station, while land was somehow transferred to the mobile telephony company without any parliamentary resolution.
Spokesman Jean Karl Farrugia said the development also included the dumping “over 2,000 trucks” of rubble on site to level the garigue.
“But what is of utmost concern to us is the health hazard posed by these antennae,” Farrugia said. “It’s true there are conflicting scientific reports about the effects of electro magnetic frequencies on human health, but we can’t take risks when all the impacts are not yet known. How can you situate an antenna only a few metres away from a school for disabled children?”
Lawyer Lorraine Schembri Orland said an appeal will be heard by MEPA on 19 October but the residents were ready to “go through all the available channels, including the EU” to stop the development.
“We also want to create awareness about the emissions from these antennae, because they are of public health concern.”
St Paul’s Bay councillor Peter Abela admitted the council had not objected to the development when the application was filed by Vodafone three years ago.
“But now we’re here to listen to the residents’ concerns and work with them to find a solution,” Abela said.
Residents said the on site notice was removed when the application was filed, so they could not object to the development upon the first application.
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