Mepa says St Paul's Bay council should apologise for Qawra dumping
Mepa insisted this afternoon that St Paul's Bay Council was never authorised to dump sludge near a bathing area, as happened yesterday in Qawra, and it should apologise for the incident.
It was reacting after the council said today that it was unfair of Mepa to blame it for yesterday's incident.
Mayor Mario Salerno circulated correspondence at a press conference showing that the council had given prior notice to Mepa that work was to start last week on the dredging of the area around a slipway in Qawra.
The decision to dump the sand elsewhere in the sea was Mepa's, not the council's, Mr Salerno insisted. He said the council had proposed retaining the sand on land but Mepa said it should be returned to the sea in an area where there were no Pasedonia meadows (seaweed).
The area where the sand was dumped yesterday was the closest fitting this requirement, and that was why it was deposited there.
Mr Salerno said the sand would be raised from the sea once more and stored on land, as the council had proposed. Sand which is still on the quay will also be collected.
Mr Salerno said the whole issue was a failure of Mepa's internal communication and this was a a lesson to be learnt by all concerned.
Yesterday's dumping was stopped by Mepa officials as bathers expressed their disgust.
In a statement issued yesterday, Mepa said that some weeks back, the local council had requested authorization for the removal of sand from around the slipway in question. While the Authority did not object given that the activity was considered to be maintenance work, it however requested that prior to the works commencing, it (the council) was to provide the Authority with further relevant details. These details were never forthcoming from the local council.
Mepa said it strongly condemned the behaviour of the local council for carrying out this dumping activity without the necessary authorization and required monitoring.
MEPA REPLY
in its reply, Mepa said that it never gave any form of authorization for the St Paul’s Bay Local Council to dump the sand and other objects it removed from a nearby slipway in Qawra.
"Unauthorised to carry out this dumping activity, the local council, yesterday, on its own initiative, decided to dump the sand and other material close to a popular bathing area," Mepa said.
"In an email dated, 01st August 2012, MEPA informed the local council that while it found no objection only for the sand to be removed from around the slipway, it requested the local council to notify it with the maximum volume of sand it intended to remove such that MEPA could assess the best way forward regarding the dumping/deposition activity. This information was not forthcoming," Mepa said.
"Instead of organising a press conference to try to justify its actions and shift the blame, the St Paul’s Bay local council should take the honorable way and make a public apology for its mistake in dumping the sand and other material without having the necessary clearance from the Authority.
The Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) can confirm that it never gave any form of authorization for the St Paul’s Bay Local Council to dump the sand and other objects it removed from a nearby slipway in Qawra.
Unauthorised to carry out this dumping activity, the local council, yesterday, on its own initiative, decided to dump the sand and other material close to a popular bathing area.
In an email dated, 01st August 2012, MEPA informed the local council that while it found no objection only for the sand to be removed from around the slipway, it requested the local council to notify it with the maximum volume of sand it intended to remove such that MEPA could assess the best way forward regarding the dumping/deposition activity. This information was not forthcoming.
Instead of organising a press conference to try to justify its actions and shift the blame, the St Paul’s Bay local council should take the honorable way and make a public apology for its mistake in dumping the sand and other material without having the necessary clearance from the Authority.
85 Comments
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Michael Camileri
Aug 29th 2012, 08:46
Not really bothered about an apology...
Just clean the mess and sort out your procedures
Tony Camilleri
Aug 29th 2012, 07:56
It's the CORRUPT MEPA that must apologize because the Local Council has published all correspondence which shows that it was MEPA who ordered the dumping.
Charles Muscat
Aug 29th 2012, 02:04
St Paul's Bay council should be sacked.
Tony Camilleri
Aug 29th 2012, 00:06
It is MEPA who should apologize.
Shame on you MEPA.
Mary Ann Borg
Aug 28th 2012, 23:40
1. Not sure the SPB council was right in giving permission to dump the sludge before it replied to MEPA.
2. MEPA is a much bigger organisation than SPB'S council as it carries responsibilities well beyond SPB. It cannot be everywhere all the time, but it could have at least assisted the council with permissible locations to dump the sludge. But not MEPA !
3 But as is typical with MEPA, they want all information, then make you wait, then refuse your application without giving the applicant at least some guidelines on what could be approved.
4. This mentality exists everywhere here where authorities are concerned. You turn a corner, find a temporary No Entry sign and a warden somewhere in the shade. You try asking him how to proceed once the street is closed and his reply ' I dont know siehbi, I dont live here, try that street.........' Whoever closes even a minor street for traffic should also be responsible to make the appropriate diversion signs. It happens in most modern countries, but when it comes to traffic and other authorities, we are still lacking years behind the rest.
E. Azzopardi
Aug 28th 2012, 22:09
How nice? Just apologize. If this country has some decency, I would make them pay personally to remove all that sludge.
Mr Daniel Jones
Aug 28th 2012, 20:47
Apologise? MEPA a toothless tiger! Show some guts and slap them with a big fine. After all, if someone drops litter there then the wardens can fine them. Do likewise but on a bigger scale.
Christopher Scerri
Aug 29th 2012, 00:35
And who do you think will pay the fine?
Mr Evan Camilleri
Aug 28th 2012, 20:30
next time dump half of it in front of St Pauls Bay Local Council and the other half in front of MEPA.... no apologies required
GL Calleja
Aug 28th 2012, 19:22
To make things easier, why don't both MEPA and the St Pauls Bay Local Council apologize and stop pointing fingers at each other. Somebody please accept responsibility.
david debattista
Aug 28th 2012, 21:42
GL Calleja
Accept responsibility , My friend let me tell you something ...... PROPAGANDA IS ALL PHONY !
Martin Zerafa
Aug 28th 2012, 19:03
Mr Salerno please do not forget that also stones where dropped in the sea not only the sand on the jetty. Just a reminder.
Martin Zerafa
Aug 28th 2012, 18:58
Nixtieq inkun naf meta il- Kunsill ha jirrispetta lic- cittadini ta San Pawl bhal ma qal fil press release . Hemm bzonn li il waste li intefa jigi imnaddaf fi zmien qasir halli inkomplu ngawdu il- bahar fl- ahhar jiem li Baqa tas- sajf. U il hmar ma jibqax iwahhal f' denbu
Colin Camilleri
Aug 28th 2012, 18:54
MEPA IS IN NO POSITION TO TELL US WHO IS RIGHT OR WRONG! MAY BE THEY FORGOT THE MERCAPTAN INCIDENT!
MEPA and the San Pawl Local council should put their documents on the table for all to see. Then let the general public reach their own conclusions themselves!
Elvin Muscat
Aug 28th 2012, 17:54
I think they should both apologise, MEPA and the local council, a sorry excuse for both to exist.
Charlie Formosa
Aug 28th 2012, 18:01
Mario Salerno said he will make sure the mess is cleaned up. MEPA won't help? I see.
c. hansel
Aug 28th 2012, 17:42
Well I am very sorry but the Mayor should be responsible the local council gave the order to do this hence they should be blamed for it not MEPA. All this kindergarten behavior is making the whole issue worse. The Mayor got elected to help not to make life worse for the residents of San Pawl il Bahar and he clearly made it worse! Thanks a lot but next election I will not vote for him or his party.
Eddy Privitera
Aug 28th 2012, 20:05
C.Hansel: So you will vote for GonziPn who allowed Mepa to burn the poisonous Mercaptan , and keeping it a secret from the Maltese people ! And for GonziPN who decided to build an extension to the power station using the worst fuel possible ! And for GonziPn who allowed the Mellieha local council to create all that chaos for thousands of daily travellers ging to Gozo or vice versa !!!
Need I go on Mr. Hansel ????
Donna Parnis
Aug 28th 2012, 21:02
So because of one mistake and it is a mistake not proven it was the council. It could have been MEPA you will not vote for him or his party. How intelligent is that, Not blame one person or one council but blame the whole party. Why dont you blame Gonzi and all his party for ALL THE MISTAKES over the last 25 yrs. and more recently, ARRIVA 600 euro a week pay rise. Selling Malta's heritage, Noooo you moan about a simple mistake whom as yet no one has taken responsibility. How pathetic.
Brian Farrugia
Aug 28th 2012, 16:55
MEPA is a poor excuse for an environmental agency, and should apologise that it even exists!
Simon Abela
Aug 28th 2012, 16:45
Some people have no clear what is going on. MEPA is a complete failure. Lack of accountabilty and lack of leadership. Who is the competent person to drafts these contracts?
Anyone accountable In Malta?
GL Calleja
Aug 28th 2012, 18:00
We are Maltese and we do as we please.
Martin Formosa
Aug 28th 2012, 16:44
Something like this happens and already over 300 comments since yesterday, yet Malta is plagued with littering of all sorts every minute and the comments are at a minimal or none at all.
2 wrongs don't make a right, we should all show our concern regarding the huge litter problem on the island, not only by commenting in the Times but by writing to your local council, I know have done this several times.
pat muscat
Aug 28th 2012, 16:38
Who is responsible for this saga? Obviously the head of MEPA.
The Council-not an expert-asked for advice and was told not to dumb sand on land, or on the Pasedonia weeds; but it did not tell the Council where to dump it!
The Council left it in the hands of the contractor and obviously-as all Maltese contractors-it did a short cut dumping the sand wherever it suited him!
It was mistake, there are 800 people employed at Mepa to manage the environment; this time they did not!
A Cuschieri
Aug 28th 2012, 17:24
Kieku s-sindku kien responsabli bizzejjed, kien jinforma lil MEPA aktar minn gurnata qabel sar ix-xoghol li x-xoghol ser jibda.
Smajtu jghid li forsi min ircieva n-notifika kien ma jiflahx jew hekk? Allura issa hasibha din?
Jekk il-MEPA ma taghtux soluzzjoni, ma kellux jaghmel ix-xoghol u kien johrog press release jghid li x-xoghol ma jistax jibda ghax qed jistenna risposta tal-MEPA imma mhux jaqbad u jiehu l-ligi b'idejh. Jiddispjacini imma f'dan il-kaz is-sindku m'ghagixxiex b'mod responsabbli u nkun sorpriz kif nies bhalek qed iwahlu f'kulhadd (MEPA, kuntrattur u kulhadd) hlief fih (jew fil-kunsill innifsu).
Neville Cassar
Aug 28th 2012, 16:34
That's the result of having:
1 - A Labour run local council
2 - A Mayor that just moved from another locality.
These last 4 months resulted in a total nightmare for St. Paul's Bay.
Garbage picked up at 1.30pm, left there so everyone (tourists included) can smell it.
The Local Council's car parked illegally.
And now, this whole farce of this scandalous dumping of dirt.
Way to go...
Charlie Formosa
Aug 28th 2012, 16:55
And do you think because they are member of the LC don't get fined?
"These last 4 months resulted in a total nightmare for St. Paul's Bay." It takes time to recover and TRY to clean up the MESS left by others. You know what "mess" I'm talking about!
Sure scandalous by MRRA who issued an order without any authorisation from MEPA AND OR LC! - MS looks confident enough with his work
Daniel Dimech
Aug 28th 2012, 17:20
hehehehehehe nice one forsi qed tinsa li fis sajf il popolazzjoni ta san pawl tikkwadripla
Eddy Privitera
Aug 28th 2012, 20:11
Neville Cassar: Don't you know what the situatiion was under the GonziPN council ???
Mentioning nightmares, don't you know about the nightmare thousands of people are having daily when going to Gozo and returning back, due to the chaos existing in the roadworks and the deviation decided by the GonziPN led council ???
Josephine Muscat
Aug 28th 2012, 22:03
This must be a joke. The previous mayor had her uncle working as the mixed waste collection contractor and in the beehive the word ways that he ripped to pieces every default notice that he received from the Council. And who can solve the arrogance of so many years so quickly.
Anthony Grech
Aug 28th 2012, 16:29
"Mepa says St Paul's Bay council should apologise for Qawra dumping" Fair enough. But what should MEPA do for letting the overdevelopement in Marsalforn, Xlendi and in Gozo in general ? Not to mention Malta. What should MEPA do for giving permission to massacare old trees (cipress) that used to live on the side of the 'NEW' road especially in the roundabout area at Xewkija? What should MEPA do for letting Enemalta build its 'PALACE' Head office and stores just 30 feet away from the residential area at Xewkija? What did MEPA do when during the first escavating works of the area where this Head Office is built about 5 tombs-like structures dug in rock were found? Was MEPA asleep or was it strong with the week and week with strong as usual? Why were these findings smashed in a hurry? Did MEPA knew about them?
Robert Lewis
Aug 28th 2012, 19:25
@Mr Anthony Grech. I would like to add the following to your list. What should MEPA do for giving permission to my next door neighbor to extend his already against the law building by a verandah overlooking my garden and my kitchen and I cannot stay with my underpants. MEPA is a complete flop and should be scrapped.
Toni Borg
Aug 28th 2012, 16:25
Pasedonia meadows (seaweed) - Posidonia oceanica is SEAGRASS...and then they expect to be taken seriously in this country if not even the press knows how to properly refer to endangered ecosystems...
Mr Stephen Sammut
Aug 28th 2012, 16:24
The mayor as well as those of Mepa are aliens, FULL STOP. The truck driver responsible for the dumping, is a sheep. If I was in his shoes and my boss told me to go dump rubbish in the sea, there's no way I would do it, and I would even question it!! But that is the problem on this island, many of the population are sheep and have no mind of their own.
Mr ALBERT LEONE GANADO
Aug 28th 2012, 16:15
In my view one culprit is MEPA who should have issued clear instructions for handling the dredging and disposal of sand or sludge or call it what you want. The council is then to blame for not engaging a professional company who understand the rules for dealing with proper disposal of sludge in the environment. Finally the truck driver tipping driver is at fault for lacking any common sense in carrying out his assigned task. The only one not to blame is the poor Qawra resident and bather who will have to bear the consequences . Let us stop this blame game and finger pointing and understand what management responsibility is all about.
Ian Glazier
Aug 28th 2012, 16:09
I would consider both to blame and that a public enquiry must follow so that this never ever happens again.
George Cutajar
Aug 28th 2012, 16:08
It is very clear that the SPB Mayor did not read or did not understand MEPA's instructions. MEPA authorised the removal of the sand but wanted prior notice of where the removed sand and/or sludge was to be disposed of.
Obviously Mr. Salerno read the first part but failed to abide by the second part of the order.
And while on the subject of abuse by the SPB Local council will Mr. Salerno kindly inform us all whether the bollards fixed this week in Saint Anthony's Street, SPB were fixed with the MTA's permission. Is Mr. Salerno aware of the imminent and serious hazard he has created should a fire engine or an ambulance need to access this road?
If this is the way Labour will work should it get elected than we are in for very trying times!!!! Xejn sew.com
Rodrick Azzopardi
Aug 28th 2012, 15:51
Mayor Mario Salerno, you are the one in charge to see such things don't happen
James Vella
Aug 28th 2012, 15:43
Din wahda bhal ta Gahan Sur Salerno !!!!!!!!
m. borg (slm)
Aug 28th 2012, 15:29
Am I responsible where the refuse collector dumps the rubbish he collects from door my door?
MEPA gave the permission so it is MEPA who should oversee where the sand was to be deposited, did MEPA ask the council about the site it intended to deposit the dirty sand at?
When somebody buys something that needs transported that someone would surely see that the object is delivered to the right place, I guess I would.
Robert Lewis
Aug 28th 2012, 15:20
Tafuha dik il-kunzunetta, "Mhux jien, mhux jien, le, le mhux jien" u il hmar iwahhal f'denbu, u denbu iwwahhal fil hmar, u hawwadni ha nifhem. Free for all, mind you both the Prim Minister and the President are away on holiday, and when the cat is away the mice will play. I believe SPB Local council full stop. Can I ask a simple question to MEPA. If you had to dredge clean a slipway, what do you do with the material, a very simple and straight forward question, whether its sludge, sand, tyres, bottles, etc. MEPA don't forget that within the next couple of weeks, slipways will be very busy cause now we expect a storm anytime, and boat owners will need slip ways cleared.
Carmel Serracino-inglott
Aug 28th 2012, 15:50
Just do not dump it near swimmers. It is so logical . I know Mr Salerno so well that I do not believe what he is saying ( not all what he said) but he is covering, may be , someone say the truck driver because believe me no one in his sences will deposit such sludge in that place. Then some people try to get politics involved when this has nothing to do with politics. Even if MEPA said ( which it did not) deposit the sludge anywhere no one should in this case 'obey' this stupid recommendation. Also if the sludge had to be returned to the sea it has to be dumped far offshore not near swimmers. Please to not try to attack Mepa when this sludge ( Mepa or not) should have been dumped properly.
Charles Vassallo
Aug 28th 2012, 15:17
@ Dave Alan Caruana
Accountability!? That's taboo for the St. Paul's Bay Local Council. I live in Triq Is-Simar and have been complaining for the last 3 years to my Local Council on the disgusting state of our road. To add insult to injury, a couple of months back, a contractor started digging up the road to lay services for a very huge block of apartments (ruining the area needless to say).
It seems that the contractor just laid a very small section of pipes, as he then encountered subsidence within the clay foundation (What, no geotechnical assessments before? Ma tarax!)..... Guess what, he just filled it up with concrete and literally excuse my language, pissed off; Leaving us, the residents of Triq Is-Simar to literally eat dust every other day....
Dear Local Council and whoever else is accountable?.... Do Not Treat Us like (excuse the pun, DIRT!)
M Darmanin
Aug 28th 2012, 15:53
you need to divert your questions to the previous council because normally a handover never runs smoothly let alone when a change in party representing the council has occured .... IT SHOULDNT BE THE CASE however unfortunately this is what happens here ... all you get is 'ask who was here before me' !!!
john muscat
Aug 28th 2012, 16:06
I have a garage in Triq is=Simar, and I agree 100% as my car's suspension and tyres are always crying, and some time ago an old lady fell and died on this road(sic) but the road gets worse as each day passes, and when the first showers arrive it will be impassable.
Michelle Abela
Aug 28th 2012, 23:02
........hearsay Mr.Vassallo. Yes, unfortunately we residents of Triq S-Simar have to live on an uneven, concrete topped, dusty road. I have been in touch with 'the council' who says it is Transport Malta who are on the hang now...
Yes, our Government creates these huge entities, bigger than the gov itself and obviously, it is us who always suffer. True that we are the voters but there is never a 'going back' once these giants are formed.
Console yourselves dear fellow residents, the rain will soon come to wash the road by which time it will be too wet to finish off the job....
yes, sleep sleep dear council !
Antoine Bartolo
Aug 28th 2012, 15:16
In yesterday's Times report, the Mayor of St. Paul's is quoted to say that the so called sand should have been cleaned before being dumped. It is obvious that this was not the case! as can be seen clearly! Who is acocuntable for this mistake ?? The contractor? The Mayor? I think Mepa are out of this particular detail as the mayor stated himself that whatever was dumped had to be clean. So whoever is at fault has to clean up and not only remove the "sand" any other toxic stuff has to be filtered out as well!!!!
As for the police..... littering is a crime and dumping bottles and tyres into the see is LITTERING....you do not need mepa officers to come on site to stop the contractor!!!
Chris Gatt
Aug 28th 2012, 15:14
Words fail me. Once more we elect incompetent fools. Mr Salerno is beating about the bush . The question was not whether the sand should be returned to the sea as MEPA suggested ( and which incidentally is the correct decision), but why the sand was deposited precisely near a concrete pontoon which was built to encourage swimmers to use that area.
Was this because it was the most convenient and cheapest way to transfer the sand?
Incidentally by insisting that the council wanted to keep the sand on land, Mr Salerno is only exasperating his position by showing that he is incapable of of understanding the environmental issues he is responsible for
Carmel Ellul
Aug 28th 2012, 15:12
Mr Salerno , the Lord Mayor of St. Paul's Bay, still insists that what is being dumped is sand.
Whoever took him for a ride is now making him make a fool of himself.
Maybe since he comes from Kirkop ,he never had seen sand in his life , and was convinced that the colour of sand is filthy grey. Just go back to where you came from , if you are still welcome.
M Grima
Aug 28th 2012, 15:12
Considering MEPA's endless blunders I believe the St.Paul's Bay Local Council on this issue. But what is really annoying is how MEPA is trying to shift their own blame on the council just to belittle the Labour led council. I suppose this is MEPA at their best!!!!
Joe Vella
Aug 28th 2012, 15:09
MEPA was clear in it's instruction to the SPB Local council. MEPA requested further information prior to teh work being carried out. Somethign the SPB Local Council failed to do. Mr. Salerno shoulder your sresponsabilites;period.
Carmel Zammit
Aug 28th 2012, 15:28
Can you read and understand simple english?
Mayor Mario Salerno circulated correspondence at a press conference showing that the council had given prior notice to Mepa that work was to start last week on the dredging of the area around a slipway in Qawra.
Wilfred Camilleri
Aug 28th 2012, 15:51
Mr. Zammit, no one is disputing that the local councils given MEPA notice that work was to start but it was up to Local Council to provide MEPA with further information prior to the work starting and obviously no such further information was provided to MEPA. Conclusion - the council is at fault!
D Schembri
Aug 28th 2012, 15:07
and in the meantime, bathers suffer
C. Refalo
Aug 28th 2012, 15:00
Pointing fingers at each other! and the poor layman paying the taxes!!!!! This was a conjoint operation thereby both are to be held responsible - resignations are the least one can expect (from both sides)
Jay Oatmon
Aug 28th 2012, 14:52
As usual in Malta "accountability and responsibility" do not exist. What we get is 'passing the buck' and no enforcement of the existing laws.
J Camilleri
Aug 28th 2012, 14:48
Ghaziz Sur Salerno, suppost ghandek sens bizzejjed li jekk il MEPA ittik direttiva bla sens ma timxiex maghha, imma ssib soluzzjoni ahjar....xoghol is-sindku huwa li jaghraf dscizjoni tajba minn dik hazina. Kieku qalulek biex tbattal it trakk fuq id desk tieghek ma nahsibx li kont timxi ma li qalulek...allura mux ovvja jahasra li bla sens tbattal trakk fejn jixxemxu u jghumu (kienu ) in nies....mohhna hemm Salern hija!!
Victor Caruana
Aug 28th 2012, 15:19
U l-Mepa ghalfejn ghandha taghti direttiva bla sens? Mela din immexxija mid-dilettanti li jahdmu bil-volontarjat jew bhal xi kazin tal-banda? Jekk noqghodu sejrin hekk, min jibni f'xi wied ma jkunx jaf li ser jaghmel hazin avolja ttih il-permess il-Mepa? Xorta jitla l-bini imma! Kemm hu aghar dak il-fatt minn din li hawn hawn fuq!
m. borg (slm)
Aug 28th 2012, 15:34
Skuzi sur Salerno ma nahsiebx li s-sur Salerno hu Nostradamus u kien jaf x'ser jigri .
Bhal haddiem , jghamel li jghidlu l-imghallem li suppost ikun jaf ahjar.
Din li minn fuq nitfghu r-responsabilta fuq t-isfel trid tispicca, kulhadd ghandu jgorr ir-reponsabilta ta' ghemilu.
Jowey Brownie
Aug 28th 2012, 14:46
Il-hmar iwahal f'denbu and circus goes on but enviornment in Malta will be the ultimate looser at the end .
Tony Ellul
Aug 28th 2012, 14:46
I cannot believe that this is Malta in 2012. We act like little boys and girls blaming each other without anyone assuming responsibility. It is just plain shameful.
Moira Heath
Aug 28th 2012, 14:45
Yesterday's report said it was sludge not sand that was deposited in the sea. It also said that there were bottles and tyres among the debris. Today miraculously it became just sand. If it had been just sand, I don't think anyone would have bat an eyelid. So if neither the council nor MEPA want to shoulder the responsibility for this mess, then in my opinion both parties are at fault. But as usual it doesn't mean anything because it's only the man on the street who suffers. Alla prossima... In the not too distant future I suspect.
joe vella
Aug 28th 2012, 14:40
mr salerno, very nice looking sand really
why don't you and your fellow councillors take a day off, stick some tents on this sand and build some sandcastles for your children and grandchildren to enjoy themselves, then you could serve them some icecreams and snacks, which will very definitely be contributed by the establishments nearby
I am sure you will go a long way to convince us that this was sand and not sludge (hama)
I had a much better opinion of you, sorry you lost it !
M Grima
Aug 28th 2012, 15:14
Can't you read the Council's statement. If you cannot, try removing your thick blue blinkers!!!
Wilfred Camilleri
Aug 28th 2012, 15:53
Mr. Grima, the statement by Local Council is nothing but bull!
joe vella
Aug 28th 2012, 17:07
m grima
I have no blue or red or green blinkers to remove, never wore them!
this is not a political issue as you wrongly interpreted it, I do not blame you, hearing the news on net yesterday makes one sick
mine is a simple comment on facts, whoever is to blame one cannot call that stuff Sand
you might want to join mr salerno and co maybe just to prove me wrong!!
Dave Alan Caruana
Aug 28th 2012, 14:37
As is usual with the local councils, once they screw up its never their fault .. local councils need to be accountable for any works they order, having a local council with the power to order works and without any accountability when they screw up is asking for abuse. Accountability, especially financially, should be pinned down on the individuals within the council actually signing off the works.
Brian Farrugia
Aug 28th 2012, 14:37
Jiena vera ignorant bil provi, imma ma fhimxtx sahta li qal is sindku!
B Attard
Aug 28th 2012, 14:33
Mepa always there to create a havoc and wasting the taxpayer's and applicants monies
Victor Rodenas
Aug 28th 2012, 14:31
Il-hmar iwahhal f`dembu.
Paul Azzopardi
Aug 28th 2012, 14:30
Pass the monkey to the left hand side, pass the monkey to left hand side..........it's not my fault....
Someone should have the authority to pull these ''childrens'' ears and make them responsible for their islands well being a duty not a job....
Where is their pride?
C. Vella
Aug 28th 2012, 14:29
And even if MEPA did approve it, you as the local council did not question the obvious - do not dump rubbish in the sea especially YOUR sea.
Jes Farrugia
Aug 28th 2012, 14:26
Mr Salerno is SAND and SLUDGE means the same for you?
m. borg (slm)
Aug 28th 2012, 15:36
The BWSC power station extension produces sludge.
Edward Mallia
Aug 28th 2012, 14:26
We are accumulating a nice set of these cases where all we get is authorities of one sort or another pointing fingers at each other. 1. The Mercaptan case: Enemalta and MEPA. 2. The Black Dust case: MEPA ordered the switchoff of the Enemalta precipitators. 3. The Delimara Extention IPPC permit: It was Enemalta who gave KPMG a fraudulent brief for unit cost calculation. 4. The Qawra dumping: Local Council and MEPA point fingers at each other as to who did or should have done what. Considering what Chairmen and CEO's are paid (cash and benefits), is the public getting value for money in this Republic?
C Cassar
Aug 28th 2012, 14:25
How about both council members and MPEA members donating a day of their own time at a weekend to do a free litter clearance excercise in St Paul's Bay as a statement of apology to the local citizens? That would go a long way to repair the gulf in trust between these two autorities and the local people and tourists alike.
jonathan galea
Aug 28th 2012, 14:25
labour wont work, get back PN council
Frans Aguis
Aug 28th 2012, 14:41
Seriously?You just read how a government agency told the council to dump it back into the sea instead of on the ground and that is your response?
M Grima
Aug 28th 2012, 15:15
Dream on Mr. Galea. You can wait a few more years.
bryan sullivan
Aug 28th 2012, 14:22
so if I understand correctly, bottom line is that the council decided to dump the sludge in that area because it was 'the closest fitting MEPA's requirement' . Not actually fitting MEPA's requirement but oh well close enough I suppose ! but still the council's decision, or am I wrong ?
Victor Caruana
Aug 28th 2012, 15:17
Il-Mepa ghaliex ma urietx hi fejn l-ahjar jintefa' dak kollu? Mhux xogholha kien bhala Environment and Planning Authority (isimha maghha) li tara x'postijiet kien hemm?? Ghalfejn riedet tfarfar?? Insomma, d-dizastri tal-Mepa kulhadd jafhom issa!
T.F. Busuttil
Aug 28th 2012, 14:22
froga ohra tal MEPA
Daniel Gordon
Aug 28th 2012, 14:17
Oh dear. Swings and roundabouts.
At least it will be removed from the seabed again and stored on land.
Ivor Ramsden
Aug 28th 2012, 14:16
All seem to be suffering from BSE - Blame Someone Else.
Brian Farrugia
Aug 28th 2012, 14:49
This is great as a learning opportunity!
Next time you tell someone to clean somewhere, agree behore hand where to dump the waste.
Please choose the reason of your report below: