10,300 sign petition against Mnajdra landfills

People opposing the proposed landfills near the Mnajdra temples made their objections heard yesterday when they presented a petition asking parliament to stop the development.

The petition, which contained 10,300 signatures, mainly of residents of Qrendi, Siggiewi and Zebbug, was presented by Nationalist MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando.

A number of people turned up at the Palace yesterday evening as MPs were on their way in, holding placards which clearly relayed their message: "Temporary landfills, permanent problems" and "Maghtab - Moving House".

Dr Pullicino Orlando has been vociferous in his cause ever since Resources and Infrastructure Minister Ninu Zammit announced a proposal to use two quarries in the limits of Qrendi as temporary landfills for domestic waste.

The quarries will be used for about two years, until another site at Ghallis, in the limits of Naxxar, is ready to replace Maghtab, which will be closed by the time Malta joins the EU in May. Speaking to reporters on his way in to parliament, Dr Pullicino Orlando expressed optimism that the petition would mobilise the authorities to realise the potentially hazardous impact of the proposed landfills.

He described the number of signatures collected as very satisfactory, considering that only a small number of individuals were collecting them.

He augured that common sense would ultimately prevail and that the proposal would be shelved to ensure that his "country, government and party" would be spared embarrassment.

Dr Pullicino Orlando tabled the petition as soon as the parliamentary sitting opened. Labour MP Evarist Bartolo said he wanted to associate himself with the feelings that had been expressed about the landfills.