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James Debono
Environment Minister George Pullicino is arguing that a questionnaire shows the majority of families are in favour of relocating fish farms 6km from Marsaskala – only it turns out that just 132 residents from the southern village, and 25 other non-residents, answered the questionnaire.
Pullicino was answering a parliamentary question when he claimed the questionnaire, sent to all households in Marsaskala, showed that 68 residents – 51.5 per cent of the sample – claimed their quality of life would not be affected.
A random survey from the telephone directory conducted by MaltaToday among 300 Marsaskala residents back in March had revealed that 80.4 per cent opposed the Malta Environmental and Planning Authority’s decision to relocate the fish farms off the Marsaskala coast.
Even among the few residents who actually bothered to reply the government questionnaire, 43.9 per cent said the relocation was a very poor idea - another 21.2 per cent said it was an excellent idea, and 15.2 per cent said it was a good idea.
41.7 per cent said the project would affect tourism in the area negatively. Only 34 per cent said the project would have a positive impact.
The Association of Wied il-Ghajn Shop Owners has asked Minister Pullicino to explain the methodology by which the survey was conducted. According to the association the methodology used is questionable because any person could have filled as many questionnaires as they wanted.
“If the minister is convinced of his statements he should have no problem to go for a local referendum on the matter,” an association spokesperson said.
jdebono@mediatoday.com
Links: www.maltatoday.com.mt/2006/03/05/t3.html
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