Marsa stench dates back to 2002 - PL

The Labour Party yesterday published a series of documents dating back to 2002 detailing complaints about foul odours in the Hexagon House area in Marsa.

The documents included a petition signed by HSBC employees, who occupied the premises at the time. Staff had said that when these odours were present, they suffered nausea, red eyes, sore throats and runny noses, PL environment spokesman Leo Brincat told a news conference.

Nine years on, the government was still looking into what triggers this foul smell, Mr Brincat said.

The documents clearly showed that at least two ministers, George Pullicino and Francis Zammit Dimech, had been made aware of the smells in the vicinity of Hexagon House.

He added the government would also be extending the lifespan of the Marsa power station, which was causing harm for those living around Grand Harbour.

Opposition spokesman on local government Stefan Buontempo said Marsa residents had to put up with air pollution and foul smells emanating from the abattoir and oil-refinery plants.

Dr Buontempo said that before the 2008 election, the government had promised a better environment through a €130 million Menqa regeneration project.

Work on this project, he said, had not yet started.