An application for the installation of a bulk liquefied petroleum gas storage tank in Victoria is encountering stiff resistance from neighbouring residents.
The Ministry for Gozo submitted a Mepa application for the installation of an LPG tank on the road leading to the Citadel and the underground pipework to light three ‘eternal flames’.
It is being planned that two flames be lit next to the monument to the fallen of war in Pjazza Indipendenza, while another flame will be lit in front of the monument that commemorates the 1551 Gozo siege.
Speaking on behalf of the residents of Telgħa tal-Belt and Triq it-Telgħa tal-Belt in Victoria, who oppose the proposed gas storage tank, Joshua Grech said they were against the risks generated by a useless industrial development in a residential area.
He also pointed out that both Victoria’s major feasts let off their fireworks from an area nearby.
“The residents will file a judicial protest in court to protect their interests against this hazard,” Dr Grech said.
On October 19, Mepa validated the ministry’s application proposing a 10,000 cubic litre LPG tank next to a parking area near the residence of the Dominican nuns in Victoria.
The residents will file a judicial protest in court to protect their interests against this hazard
Contacted by this paper, the ministry said that a risk assessment was being prepared by a qualified engineer and a health and safety officer, as part of the application, “to identify any po-tential risks involved”.
Mepa confirmed it was waiting for feedback from these experts.
The controversy recalls another generated by one of the very first decisions made by the Labour government on its first day in office. The government decided to do away with the eternal flames flanking the Floriana War memorial during daylight hours.
From March 9, 2013, the gas-burning flames, first lit on April 13, 2012 to mark the 70th anniversary of the awarding of the George Cross, were only lit between 6pm and 6am every day, instead of around the clock.
Infrastructure Minister Joe Mizzi said in Parliament that “the ornamental flame” was being lit from dusk till dawn to save money.
A ministry spokeswoman explained that about 1,000 litres a week of propane gas were needed to keep the flames burning for 24 hours a day, costing the government €28,600 a year. With the new permanent 12-hour system, she said, the flames were costing the country €19,084.
Eventually the ministry opted to review its decision and keep them lit from 10am to 10pm, to ensure they were seen by most people travelling to and from Valletta.