Source of soot still not established
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi this evening offered to ask technical people to reply to questions by MPs on the soot found in Fgura and surrounding areas.
Replying to questions by Nationalist MP Jesmond Mugliette and Labour MP Joe Mizzi, Dr Gonzi said the tests so far showed that the soot did not include the chemicals that would prove conclusively that it came from the power stations.
He said every effort was being made to ensure that the tests were of the highest quality.
Mr Mugliette said this was a matter which should have been established by now. He called for ongoing tests in several areas in the south of Malta.
Dr Gonzi said the sampling was ongoing but samplers had been concentrated on Fgura because that was the area from where most of the complaints came from.
The sampling was continuing and tests had been sent to several laboratories abroad. The volume of dust changed over particular periods, making the establishment of the cause more difficult as other dust was collected.
Mr Mizzi said there had been periods when the power station precipitators were not used and the government said nothing about them. That was when the soot increased.
Dr Gonzi insisted that Mepa was continuing to do whatever it could to conclusively establish the cause of the soot.
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Galea. L
Jan 12th 2010, 09:42
victor vella
They have now become aware of how they have been taken for a ride for so long vella. If Gonzi thinks he still has a majority why doesn't he call a general election to strengthen his pair of "strong hands"? Go on Gonzi. Are you chickening out?
g.c.Forte
Jan 12th 2010, 08:40
I do not know from where One TV. brings its` news, because the NET T.V and PBS T.V. reported nothing. I heard Mr. Mugliette challenging the Prime Minister to go to his garden ( Mugliette ), and can gather black soot as much as he ( Dr. Gonzi ) wants. But I think that somebody dressed up like Mr. Mugliettte and made the story. Qeghed ibberraq.
patrick mifsud
Jan 12th 2010, 07:34
what about the piles of dust which is stored in the old HAZARDOUS Storage area in Ghajn Dwieli? did anyone every took samples from these huge amount of dust stored there. Anyone interested go have a look behind the petrol station of ghajn dwieli road and you will see by yourself.
Gordon Farrugia
Jan 11th 2010, 22:51
haha what this story misses is that Mugliette walked out of Parliament as a protest - MP's are finally taking heed of their constituents' pleas, and this is a positive development, I'm exasperated of the placebo 'Yes sir, yes sir' syndrome!
Joseph Mizzi
Jan 11th 2010, 21:52
Why blame the Marsa power station for the black sooth in the Marsa area? Maybe it's the local furnar who's causing it!
Manuel Micallef
Jan 11th 2010, 21:17
Is it true that Mugliette asked Gonzi to go and get black dust from his own garden?!!!
Ha ha ha. give him a bucket and a spade Mugliette!!! kif spiccaw tal-PN!
victor vella
Jan 11th 2010, 20:44
@ Galea L. The people must have enjoyed the ride mate, they voted PN into goverment time after time.
michael fenech
Jan 11th 2010, 19:30
@ Mr.Scberras, I’m sure Mr Martinelli will soon answer your question from Canada, because he seems to know everything about Malta.
Galea. L
Jan 11th 2010, 19:22
Paul Caruana Maybe the soot will stop from the Marsa power station, but what about the extension of the delimara power station which is to run on HFO? More soot belching out of its chimneys. After more than 10 years and the soot source has not been identified. Can a government be so incompetent when Malta is a small island, a corner in a European city? Either that or they think that they can continue taking the people for a ride after all these years.
P Sciberras
Jan 11th 2010, 19:13
A question which I have been asking on this site for over a year now,and nobody seems iterested.was Is Enemalta using recycled used motor oil(zejt mahruq) to operate the Marsa Power Station?
Paul Caruana
Jan 11th 2010, 19:01
This charade has to stop. With all due respect, one does not need to do extensive lab testing to conclude that the only possible source, in the maltese islands, of such extensive soot emissions can only be the soon to be decommissioned Marsa power station (God forbid if it is the Marsaxlokk one!!). Can we at least come clean about this, and start to formulate a plan of action to mitigate these emissions?
A.Magri
Jan 11th 2010, 18:53
Take it easy dott!
J.Borg
Jan 11th 2010, 18:46
This is funny, really really funny.......a small island in the middle of the mediterranean....we have to cope with black soot almost every day and still we don't have means and knowhow to identify from where this is emanating.