PN accuses Council for the South of refusing to discuss LNG tanker

The recently-founded Council for the South of Malta had chosen not to discuss the issue in which a tanker storing liquefied natural gas (LNG) – and which is to be berthed in Marsaxlokk Bay – during a meeting held yesterday evening, the PN said.

In a statement, it said that the issue was sidelined for reasons, given by council chairman Labour MP Silvio Parnis, that the council was "not the appropriate forum" to discuss the subject.

The Opposition’s representative on the committee had asked Parnis to discuss the project, citing the berthing of the tanker as an "unnecessary risk" for the residents of Marsaxlokk and Birzebbuga.

The PN said that during its first council meeting, environment minister Leo Brincat gad made it clear that the council’s role was to discuss issues which affect the South of Malta.

“It is difficult to comprehend how the council – set up to discuss such issues - can justify the fact that the biggest project currently underway in the South of Malta is not deemed an issue worthy of discussion,” the statement read.

The PN also expressed its disappointment that the media was only allowed to stay for the first few minutes, in which generic discourse was discussed.

“It is clear that Muscat’s government is neither serious nor transparent in the way in which it is treating this issue,” it read, referring to the LNG tanker.

“Furthermore, the decision taken by the council to ignore the issue continues to confirm that the Prime Minister is only ready to listen to himself.”