Opposition requests inclusion in ‘black dust’ related discussions

Labour MPs Leo Brincat and parliamentary whip Joe Mizzi have called for a meeting of the parliamentary select committee on the black dust problem in order to discuss further developments, now that the MEPA study into the cause of the black dust had been made public.

In a letter addressed to Speaker of the House Michael Frendo, Brincat and Mizzi said they had not been initially informed of the report, penned by Prof. Alfred Vella, even though the report itself was dated March 2011.

Both expressed dismay at finding out about the report through the media, and not through the parliamentary select committee itself.

They added that government did not circulate the report externally even though subsequent government publications made reference to the report and its conclusions.

Brincat and Mizzi requested that as MPs they are included in all future discussions and distribution of documents dealing with the Marsa power station issue, which was identified as the source of the black dust that plagued the southern part of the island.