I wish you all were there with me the other Saturday when I had the opportunity to accompany the Prime Minister on a visit to the ongoing works in the first phase of the modernisation of the Sant'Antnin waste recycling plant in Marsascala.
The first phase of the works at the Sant'Antnin facility includes the installation of the so-called materials recovery facility (MRF). An MRF is a plant capable of sorting separately-collected recyclables such as glass, paper, metals and plastics. These materials would be accumulated from bring-in sites, civic amenity sites and any eventual separated doorstep collections. This facility would handle up to 36,000 tonnes of such recycled waste per annum.
I wish you were all there for various reasons: to be able to witness the transformation which is taking place at the site; to be able to judge for yourself on the high standards and the state-of-the-art technology in which we have invested for the site; and to be part of this impressive transformation, which is taking place and which is strengthening the infrastructural capacity of the waste management facilities of this country.
By investing heavily, about €26 million, we are ensuring that the workers at the plant, the residents, the environment and the country will all benefit from a modern facility that will ensure that our country is prepared to treat the waste we generate.
Waste management is no easy task. Neither is it straightforward. The worrying news coming out of the nearby Campania region in Italy, where residents are up in arms at the authorities' inability to have adequate waste management facilities, should serve as an eye opener for all of us regarding the sensitivity and strategic importance of this subject. News coming out of Naples and its surrounding provinces should also teach us to keep partisan politics out of such issues.
If the government fails in delivering, it will be the whole population that will suffer. Inversely, the problems mentioned beforehand should also highlight the progress we have made over the past years. A small board, which was set up purposely for the visit by the Prime Minister, had some "before and after" photos of the Sant'Antnin plant. No words can be so effective! I want to thank all those involved at WasteServ for the silent, yet important, contribution they are giving to our country.
Success carries with it many pitfalls. One should never forget that until a few years ago waste management was the mother of all environmental problems in Malta. The uncontrolled landfill at Magħtab was a constant reminder of our environmental sins over the years. It is with immense satisfaction that we note that this is not a news grabber anymore but it would be equally wrong if we had to take our achievements lightly.
I appreciate certain positions taken by Marsascala residents. Until today they have been bombarded by a scare campaign, motivated by partisan and opportunistic politics, which has misled people. We were never given the opportunity to explain the true picture, not even when I offered to participate in a supposedly information meeting (a confrontation meeting would have been more apt) organised by the previous Marsascala local council in January 2005. I am sure that, over the next months, with the completion of the works involved, these same residents will realise that the Sant'Antnin plant is another example of this administration's commitment in favour of the environment.
As already announced, we are also finalising plans which will benefit the Marsascala community, first and foremost. Energy generated from the plant will be transferred to the national grid and the government is currently assessing the best option through which the immediate residents of the plant may benefit from the generation of this energy. The creation of a family park adjacent to the site is also another positive contribution towards the Marsascala community and the public.
My wish for all you to be there will soon materialise. We will organise an open day for all interested persons in the following weeks. I look forward to that day, when everyone can see and judge for himself. The first phase of the modernisation of the Sant'Antnin plant is another important step forward in maintaining our promise of guaranteeing a better future for us and for our forthcoming generations.
Mr Pullicino is Minister of Rural Affairs and the Environment.