St Luke's Hospital chimney

May I express the same sentiments expressed by Alfred Vella in his letter St Luke's Hospital Chimney (September 2). The hospital incinerator has proved to be inefficient and as a consequence a cause of pollution in the Pietà and Guardamangia areas. Our residents have grown accustomed to daily doses of smoke emerging from the chimney - smoke which can be witnessed from various vantage points in the centre of the island.

Ever since I have been mayor of Pietà, I have campaigned hard to see the incinerator's removal. I was elated when Health Minister Louis Deguara announced that finally the government had plans to remove the incinerator and will kick off the process to choose a new and cleaner technology to deal with the clinical waste. To reach this point, few believe how much lobbying had taken place.

The decision still stands and there have been no U-turns on that decision. However, the political goodwill to have these things changed has not been followed up as efficiently by administrative action and also, to be fair with all those concerned, the procurement procedures - which have to assure transparency - do not assist the government when there is dire need of a decisive action.

Recently I sent a letter to the EU Commissioner responsible for environmental affairs to ask him to monitor the issue and to assist the government if the case arises.

Mr Vella is under the impression that he is being taken for a ride, and I do not blame him for thinking that. However, this is not the case. The call for tenders was reissued and it seems that it is hotly contested, which is causing a great deal of delay. I am the last person who would want to put a spin to the whole saga, when my family and I live just under the incinerator.

I can assure Mr Vella and the rest of Pietà and Guardamangia residents that as mayor I will continue to put pressure to see that the incinerator is removed once and for all.