Malta needs to venture into eco industry - AD

Nothing will send a message to the government like a vote for Alternattiva Demokratika, party chairman Arnold Cassola insistsed yesterday.

He was speaking at a party activity as the campaign for the Euro-parliamentary elections enters its final week.

"It is only by voting for AD, the only party which can bring about change to the political landscape of this country, that the real and strongest message can be sent to the others. Failure to vote will not drive the message home. It will not bring about any kind of change. Voting and electing an AD MEP will smash the current stale status quo," he said.

His running mate for the EP elections, Yvonne Arqueros Ebejer, also spoke of the politics of the main parties, saying that their "negativity" was not conducive to a mature approach to politics.

"Scaremongering should be consigned to the dustbin," she said.

Prof. Cassola said the country needed to venture into eco-industry, which he said was a dynamic, fast growing sector with considerable employment opportunities.

He said companies in the industry registered an average 15 per cent rise in employment between 2004 and 2006, which amounted to about 300,000 jobs.

"Malta must not miss the boat," he said. "The government's decision to go for a turbine which burns a dirty fuel and creates tons of toxic waste everyday is worrying and a step backwards."

He was referring to the government's decision to fire up part of the Delimara power station with heavy fuel oil to save money.

Depending on the fluctuations of the oil market was dangerous for the economy and investing in clean and alternative energy would be more affordable, he said.