Joe Sant, secretary, Front Kontra l-Impjant għar-Riċiklaġġ ta’ Sant’Antnin, Marsascala
Marsascala waste recycling plant saga (1)
Photo: Matthew Mirabelli
Too much ado has been made by George Pullicino and WasteServ over the monitoring of air quality around the Sant’Antnin valley where the controversial recycling plant is being housed.
This was one of the conditions laid down by Mepa after the continuous pressure by the committee against the plant: that residents should be part of this monitoring board and also be consulted prior to its setting up.
Through incessant demands by the committee, the waste management strategy was changed and instead of dumping all the refuse generated on the island, 250,000 tonnes per annum, in Marsascala, one-third – 71,000 tonnes per annum – will be processed at the Sant’Antnin plant. Two more plants are earmarked; one in Gozo and a much larger one in Għallis costing €45 million that will probably take the heaviest chunk of waste.
What’s farcical and somewhat bemusing is that in the initial site selection exercise being compared to Sant’ Antnin site, among other excuses the Għallis site was listed as being far too small. The prolonged emphasis by the Prime Minister and Resources Minister George Pullicino over the decision taken by the council to appoint an expert to monitor air quality seems rather a coincidence since it was approved half heartedly only a week ago due to lack of consultation.
Now that the plant is fully operational, receiving 35,000 tonnes of organic waste and 36,000 tonnes of dry recyclables, such monitoring was envisaged to start immediately with the blessing of this obnoxious industry a stone’s throw away from residential areas.
The mayor of Marsascala should have made it clear with Minister Pullicino and WasteServ that this monitoring unit under no circumstances should serve as a screen to alienate residents from the real and basic issue, that of the socio-economic studies which incorporate a health study, study on pests such as rodents and insects and above all noise emitting from the plant during the night. These important studies stipulated by Mepa in the terms of reference were never carried out for they were “too expensive”, as stated in public by WasteServ’s foreign consultant. Residents are still waiting for personal guarantees from Mr Pullicino and WasteServ that the plant would not create odours at the boundaries and against any possible future adverse health effects on residents.
The minister should know very well the reason why the Marsascala local council has, since 2005, filed legal proceedings in the Maltese law courts and appeals before the Mepa board, for the European Commission does not have any powers over member states regarding location of such plants and public consultation; it limits itself to the European Community law.
The parody by the Resources Minister, accompanying young students around the plant, is a complete circus. Shabbiness could be seen everywhere. Residents have reacted strongly and turned their backs to Mr Pullicino’s invitation.
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FX. GALEA
Dec 2nd 2010, 04:23
You always get some smart alec like 'c.camilleri' trying to patronize the Marsascala residents by siding with the government in achieving at all cost the building of this plant. The crux is not in the building and the state of the art technology for such plant could be built anywhere in football stadiums, water polo pitches, big squares etc,. I remember the turmoil made by the PN media when one mentioned Rabat Malta as an ideal place for a recycling plant. I can understand the commotion at such an idea but on the other hand why Marsascala smack in a valley next door to housing estates. The Marsascala resident fought tooth and nail not against the conception of the plant but the vitiated process, irregularities, arrogance when bodies like the Mepa Auditor, Mr. Victor Axiaq the Church environment Commission, Mepa board members and the 8,000 strong petition criticizing the farcical selection exercise, luck of very important studies such as environmental studies and endless irregularities. These people are either inconsiderate or politically motivated.
C. DEBONO
Dec 1st 2010, 20:42
Do not take notice of what our Mayor or the Council says. The residents will keep their minds at rest ONLY and I repeat ONLY when all the health studies that WasteServ were obliged to carry out by MEPA. Beyond that, nothing should be accepted. During the months of July and August residents living in the Bellavista area can testify the foul smells like burnt plastic and tyres emitting from the plant. They can also testify noises during the night. And all this when the plant was not fully operational Mr. Mayor and Councilors, remember that the life span of this obnoxious industry according to WastServ’s officials is less than 25 years. So be honest with us residents. Be proactive. Insist with WasteServ and Pullicino that irrespective of the expenses involved in carrying out the health and noise studies, these should be carried out or else take legal action on our behalf by keeping these officials personally responsible for damages.
Theresienne Debono
Dec 1st 2010, 22:12
Mr C.Debono should refrain from being a wishy-washy dreamer and fac the facts right in the face. We in Malrsascala all know that when the NP Government takes a decision to railroad a project, it will do this come hell and high water. Today we must all be realists and realize that the Recycling Plant has come to stay. Quite righty the LP refuses to commit itself that if it is elected it will dismantle the project because now it is physically and financially impossible to do so.
The one sensible policy to follow is to press the Government to accept our representatives on the monitoring board. Thanks to Mayor Calleja's subtle political acumen we now have that representative. The hard fact is that Mr Joe Sant cannot stomach this achievement and his envy is getting the better of him.
For once, he shopuld forget his tarnished ego and accept that our Council has entered the citadel and now is in a position to monitor the whole process and correct it where and when necessary. Thank you Mayor Calleja for not missing the wood for the tree of personal ambition.
Ray Fenech
Dec 2nd 2010, 10:15
The resienne Debono tidher li assolutament ma segwit xejn fuq il-kontroversja tal-impjant. Qed timplika din is-sinjura li hija xi ‘achievement’ kbir tas-Sindku Calleja. Halli nfakkrek ftit. L-ewwel darba li smajt b'dan il-‘monitoring board’ kien fil-famuza laqgha taht it-tinda ta’ Grabiel fl-2004. Kien il-Ministru G. Pullicino li kien kontinwament taht attakk li biex jevita l-kritika qawwija li kienet qed issirlu qal li l-Gvern kien se jaghmel Board biex jimmoniterja l-arja u li r-residenti kien se jkollhom rapprezentant. Forsi dakinhar is-Sinjura Debono ftit li xejn kienet taghti kas il-kwistjoni tal-impjant! Calleja ma nafx fejn kien dak iz-zmien! Is-Sindku kien is-sur Charlot Mifsud. Ikolli nghid li s-Sinjura Debono hija qrib hafna tas-Sindku Calleja. Ara jappuntakx xi konsulent tal-Kunsill, tghidx kemm nimxu 'l quddiem.
C. BUHAGIAR
Dec 1st 2010, 20:30
The setting up of the monitoring board to monitor air quality is a step in the right direction. But that is just a drop in the ocean considering the numerous health hazards that a waste recycling plant creates. What the residents of Marsaskala want is that the health studies that MEPA mandated WasteServ to carry out, should be made, irrespective of their costs. X'ghandu aktar importanti l-bniedem minn sahhtu? If the Local Council or its Mayor Calleja is satisfied because of the setting up of the Monitoring Board, that's his own business. We residents are not. Jew se nilghabuha tal-helwin issa!! Health Studies are by far more important than 'sponsorships". Jekk il-Kunsill taghna se jasal sa hawn, allura verament inkunu missejna l-qiegh!
Theressiene Debono
Dec 1st 2010, 18:49
It is rather cheeky for Mr Joe Sant to try to involve our Mayor in his lost war to eliminate
Marsascala waste recycling plant when during the thick of battle he opted to sidetrack him and prefered the dethroned ex Fgura Mayor for top job, We in Marsascala all know the four year whispering campaign against Mayor Calleja and which boomeranged in the Sant cliques face as he was returned by a hugely increased majority.
We all know that this upstart pretends to be our feudal lord and all of us, including our Mayor must pay homage to hima or else... But the hard facts are that contrary to his wishes and his hopes, Marsascala residents back and trust Mayor Calleja. If he thinks otherwise, he can always come out in the open and contest the local elections. But then, he'll get thew shock of his life.
C. Gauci
Dec 1st 2010, 20:03
Ikun zball kbir min-naha tas-Sindku ta’ Marsaskala Calleja, jekk jipprova jilghab mas-sahha tar-residenti. Il-moniteragg tal-arja huwa tajjeb li jsir, izda m'ghandu x'jaqsam xejn mal-istudju dwar il-kontroll tal-mard li jista’ johloq u jingarr mill-grieden, nemus, dubbien u nsetti ohra li mpjant taz-zibel ta’ dak il-kobor jista’ jikkrea, specjalment f'dik iz-zona. Jien kont qrajt bid-dettal r-rapport tal-Kummissjoni dwar l-Ambjent tal-Knisja, rapport indipendenti li jghid car li dan l-istudju li kellu jsir ma sarx. Kien VROMA! Jidher li l-FRONT Kontra l-Impjant ghandu aktar dokumenti u provi li juri li dan ma sarx. Il-Monitoring board m'ghandux iservi ta 'smokescreen' biex permezz tieghu nahbu dan kollu. Ninkoraggixxi lill-FRONT li ghandu jibqa’ jinsisti dwar dan il-punt li ghalina huma krucjali; jghid x'jghid Calleja u l-Kunsill tieghu. Nissugerixxi lill-T. Debono terga' taqra l-ittra tal-FRONT ghax mid-dehra ma fehmet assolutament xejn. Dan id-diskors smajtu min hadd iehor qrib is-Sindku. Kellu bzonn ghandu l-integrita u l-onesta li ghandu s-sur Joe Sant.
S. CHETCUTI
Dec 1st 2010, 18:31
Tal-WasteServ qed jaghmlu minn kollox biex jaghtu stampa li marru hafna nies izuru l-impjant, bhallikieku se jnessu l-hnizrijiet li saru fil-process ghal-permess tal-applikazzjoni. Li tipprova tqarraq mhux xi haga difficli, pero li tghid il-verità hija xi haga difficli ghal dan il-gvern u ghal-WasteServ. Jafu sew li r-residenti ghandhom mitt ragun u se jkollhom fil-futur, mhux ghax jien nixtieq id-deni, imma dawn l-impjant li jircievu eluf ta’ tunnellati ta’ zibel bil forsi se jrejhu w il-punt krucjali jekk se jaghmlu hsara lill-bniedem. Dan ma nafuhx ghax l-istudji ma sarux u l-gvern, il-WasteServ u issa anke l-Kunsill ghax donnu qed jilghab il-karta tal-Ministru Pullicino se jinzammu responsabbli tad-danni li jistghu jigu kkagunati minn dan l-impjant.
c. camilleri
Dec 1st 2010, 16:25
Iva ghadkom ma qtajtux qalbkom? Have patience. Just wait for a labour Govt in three yrs time to remove it
j. cachia
Dec 2nd 2010, 04:59
Only fools reason this way. I am a PN supporter, I signed the petition and I am dead set against the way the plant was given the permit. So you mean to tell me that I should vote the PL?
JM. Borg
Dec 2nd 2010, 08:10
Mela qed tistenna telfa c.camilleri? Il-kumment tieghek huwa banali u jwegga’ lill-istess Nazzjonalisti ghax anke jien ghandi dritt ma naqbilx mal-impjant taz-zibel li nbena go wied protett tefgha ta’ gebla l-boghod mill-abitat.
R. Mifsud
Dec 1st 2010, 12:25
When is WasteServ going to be honest with the public. The UE did not enter into the question of site selection for the plant. The EU said that the Community Law was not breached but contestations on the EIA should be contested in front of the Maltese Court. That's what the FRONT did. It instituted an Appeal against the MEPA Board decision which is still ongoing even though more than 5 years has elapsed. A Constitutional Case, still pending for 4 years and another case before the Civil Court is still pending. But in spite of all this, WasteServ and Minister Pullicino bulldozed on residents, ignored the court procedures and continued with the construction of Plant on a site measuring almost 50,000 m2. which happens to be a protected valley. Is this something to boost about in our so called democracy?
M.Micallef
Dec 1st 2010, 11:59
Without any hesitation I declare by means of this comment that if the Marsaskala Local Council, which happened to be a Labour majority council, would accept these mitigation measures on air quality instead of insisting with the government to carry out the important studies stipulated in the terms of reference by Mepa, I would be the first one to call for their resignation and I would not vote neither for local councils nor for the general elections. F'dak il-kas l-INTEJJEN IKUNU PESSMI WISQ BIEX WIEHED JISSAPPORTIHOM!!
JP GATT
Dec 1st 2010, 11:49
We should never fall into the trap of WasteServ and Pullicino and accept the Monitoring Board to replace health studies on the mere excuse that they are too expensive to carry out. Only God knows the total amount of money spent for propaganda in connection with the inauguration of the plant! The thousands of invites that literally invaded Marsaskala's households from point to point, the adverts that were published on local papers; the thousands of leaflets full of propaganda that were distributed not only in Marsaskala but through out Malta and Gozo, the organized guided tours and the receptions that were held. And to belittle us, WasteServ had the audacity to declare by it’s advisors that 'the health studies are too expensive to carry out’. Shame. META SE TIBDEW TISTHU!
aldo cassar
Dec 1st 2010, 11:30
L-edukazzjoni ta’ wliedna hija mportanti hafna. Imma hemm bzonn nirregimentaw lill-uliedna fl-impjant tal-iskart biex nedukawhom fuq waste management? Hu kemm hu 'state of the art' mhux impjant taz-zibel jibqa’? Mhux kull kwalità ta’ zibel jintefa fih? U hemm bzonn tkun espert biex tifhem li mpjant taz-zibel jiggenera l-insetti bhal dubbien, nemus u sahansitra grieden daqs qtates?! Tkazajt, litteralment tkazajt nara lit-tfal imnsieken jigu mkaxkra lejn dan l-impjant biex jaraw iz-zibel ghaddej u jduru bit-trejn ma’ munzelli ta’ skart ta’ kull xorta fil-gwida jkun il-Ministru Pullicino. Imissna nisthu. Il-kbar li marru biex jieklu xi sandwich u xi drink minn gol-impjant taz-zkibel, affari taghhom, imma qatt ma kien messna ninqdew bit-tfal biex intellghu n-numru tal-vizitaturi. Gharukaza ghall-genituri taghhom jekk kienu jafu fejn se jiehduhom. Mhux se jkolli t-tfal u nibghathom iduru madwar iz-zibel tghid?! Jibghatuhom l-ufficjali tal-WasteServ u l-Ministru Pullicino jekk iridu!!
S. Grech
Dec 1st 2010, 11:02
If it wasn’t for the Front the residents of Marsaskala and neighbouring towns would be left in the dark. The monitor of air quality should not in any way replace the important studies not carried out by the developer and Mepa. Being a hazardous plant that could emit bad smells and particles harmful to mankind such controls are the norm. I condemn the Marsaskala council for trying to minimize these important studies and try to rest assured on these mitigation measures. The Marsaskala council should be more concerned knowing that whenever guarantees were requested from Mr. Pullicino and WasteServ none were made. The council knows very well not to trust WasteServ and the authorities concerned over the most manipulated process full of irregularities that of the Sant' Antnin recycling plant. Prosit Dr. Owen, we appriciate your continuous support.
Anthony Grech
Dec 1st 2010, 09:46
This correspondent's political views are too well known to be taken seriously. Today he wants reports, studies, etc. while at the time of HIS government he was constantly absent from the scenes of everyday life. So much for his rantings. But now this plant is alive and kicking and is for the good of the nation and no irresponsible rantings of this man and his comedians in the Front against.... will stop what is in our national interest.
A. Saliba
Dec 2nd 2010, 08:57
The comedians are those partisans who through their disregards towards the people of Marsascala whether they are PL or PN supporters make senseless remarks towards a man that today is criticizing a Council with PL majority for trying to play, 'il doppio cioco". In fact Anthony Grech is so politically blind that he is offending the thousands of PN voters that condemned the process, the arrogance in which this government dump this waste factory with all the repercussions that might inflict on us residents of Marsascala.