AD and PL slam Birzebbuga Freeport dredging works

AD spokesperson for local government Carmel Cacopardo said dredging works scheduled to be carried out at the Freeport should not be carried out during the official swimming season.

Cacopardo said that notwithstanding this condition being laid out in the MEPA permit for the works, the Freeport is in the process of commencing dredging works, citing a notice to mariners issued by Transport Malta to remove sea craft from the area.

"In the development permit, the Freeport seems to have circumvented the whole issue and will be carrying out dredging works during the bathing season. The conditions of the MEPA permit and consequently the protection which they afforded to residents are now practically worthless,” he said.

“MEPA has once more proven that it is strong with the weak, the residents, and weak with the strong, the Freeport. MEPA’s reform has not been of any use. Those who have the necessary contacts can still defy the rules with impunity. The government led by Lawrence Gonzi, who as minister for the environment is directly responsible for MEPA, is either incompetent or an accomplice in this matter.”

AD chairperson Michael Briguglio said that “it is becoming clearer than ever that all the environmental rhetoric of the Nationalist government is nothing more than empty words. The election of AD candidates will bring about a pro-environment and pro-residents presence in decision-making structures.”

The Labour Party also called on MEPA to ensure the development taking place in the Freeport respects the conditions laid down by its own regulations.

Spokesperson on sustainable development Silvio Parnis expressed concern that the locality’s council and environment action group both said that the dredging works planned in the coming days would violate the conditions imposed by MEPA on the developer.

Parnis said that the conditions clearly stated that no dredging works could take places in months falling within swimming season. He also noted that the same developer only months before the most recent MEP election was denied permits by MEPA. “However, after the elections, that same MEPA board – except the Opposition’s representative and MP Roderick Galdes, performed a U Turn and approved the development.”

Parnis said that the PL is in favour of “creating jobs, but this goal should not be reached to the detriment of residents’ health and in violation of the right to their dignity.”

Parnis said that while the PL is expressing is support for Birzebbuga’s Local Council, “it assures the affected residents that it will keep following developments closely and perform the necessary scrutiny, even in Parliament, so that Government will not keep treating residents living in the South of Malta like second class citizens.”