Plans for Sant'Antnin

Mr Pierre Mizzi (The Sunday Times, January 30) has overlooked several crucial issues.

WasteServ's application with MEPA is not for an upgrade of the waste treatment plant at Sant'Antnin. It is for the demolishing of the existing composting plant, the reconstruction of a similar plant and the construction of an additional three recycling facilities.

The additional plants are a mechanical treatment plant, a digestion plant producing explosive gases (with electricity generation capacity serving 1,400 households) and a materials recovery plant. Moreover, compared to the current throughput of less than 35,000 tons of material annually, the application is for the plants to recycle no less than 200,000 tons of solid waste per year.

Mr Mizzi also failed to mention that the authorities' panic situation results from WasteServ's failure to plan in time for the successful utilisation of EU cohesion funds.

This situation has precipitated to WasteServ's line of least resistance, requesting MEPA to approve the health hazardous concentration of four recycling plants at the expense of residents and tourists at Marsascala. If implemented, the construction of the four facilities will increase the potential health risks and nuisance from odour, noise, insects, vermin, rodents and dust in Marsascala and nearby towns.

One valid reason for Marsascala residents not trusting WasteServ delivering the promised quality standards is that WasteServ is a government-run entity and Marsascala residents have had more than enough experience of recycling plants mismanaged by WasteServ and similar government-run entities.

Should we take the current state of the islands' roads as a measure of delivery of promised quality standards by government-run entities, then it is a waste of time to discuss quality promises at Sant'Antnin any further!

If, for the sake of argument, Marsascala residents have full trust in Minister Pullicino's promises that the proposed four plants will run to the highest standards, who is going to guarantee these promises when he is gone? Will WasteServ directors personally guarantee to make good for any damage sustained by residents if promises are not kept throughout the working lifetime of the new plants?

Anybody driving by the recycling plant will notice the several hundreds of barrels filled with empty glass bottles stacked to the sides of the composting shed. What only a few people know is that they are stored awaiting the public funds for a glass bottle crusher. How can anybody guarantee Marsascala residents that in the case of future shortage of public funds the situation will not deteriorate?

In the past the authorities have failed to keep several promises related to Sant'Antnin recycling plant. Why should Marsascala residents trust them now, or shall we take Mr Mizzi's assurance? Marsascala residents have learned through experience not to assume anything.

The fact that the proposed plants are to be partly financed by the EU is no assurance of lifetime performance, as operations shall be the sole responsibility of local authorities. The current plant, which has caused and is still causing so much inconvenience and turmoil, was funded by the European Investment Bank. So what has changed now to make all the difference?

Why does WasteServ want to concentrate four monstrous recycling plants with the consequent health hazards and falling real estate prices in a residential area with prime tourist potential? Does it make economic sense when Government is endeavouring to boost income from tourism? Does it make more sense to disperse the proposed four plants in smaller, easier to operate, recycling plants in rural areas of no tourist value, once the Marsascala plant is going to be demolished?

Would such a set-up reduce traffic congestions resulting from waste-carrying vehicles? What are WasteServ's plans for business continuity in case of serious accidents or shut down resulting from failure to deliver the promised quality standards? How come WasteServ expects to be granted the necessary permits when MEPA rightly refuses permits for industrial activities in tourist and residential areas?

Since WasteServ is stating that it plans to process just 71,000 tons of material annually, why did it submit an application to process 200,000 tons? Why waste money and scarce land unnecessarily? Are there any hidden plans? When are Maltese citizens, Marsascala residents in particular, going to be given definitive binding answers?

I am confident that the outcome of the referendum to be held by Marsascala council for its residents will be that we are not interested in any government incentives but want our families to lead a normal life safely in our homes without unnecessary dangers and inconveniences.

If Mr Mizzi seriously believes that the four plants will operate to high standards, he should overcome his own someone else's backyard syndrome and convince San Gwann council to have the new plants installed on his doorstep, taking advantage of his proposed incentives.

Marsascala residents will find other means to build his recommended superb playground on the current recycling plant site.

In the meantime, it is opportune for the authorities to seriously start considering alternative sites if Malta is to benefit from EU waste management cohesion funds. Have our top brass already given up hope to optimise waste management in Malta?