The damaged council offices in San Ġwann last August.

Marsaxlokk and Birżebbuġa residents must “speak with their vote” in May’s MEP elections to protest against the government’s floating gas storage facility in Delimara, Opposition leader Simon Busuttil said yesterday.

He spoke in the wake of Monday’s planning authority decision to approve the construction of a gas-fired power plant in Delimara and a floating storage unit in Marsaxlokk bay.

Although the PN cannot appeal as it did not file an objection when the application was submitted, deputy leader Mario de Marco said on Tuesday the party was keeping all options open.

Asked about the party’s next step during a visit to the San Ġwann local council, Dr Busuttil said the issue would be discussed by the parliamentary group. He hinted the options were limited since the project had been given the go ahead in the face of fierce criticism.

“At this stage, it is now up to the residents of Marsaxlokk and Birżebbuġa to see what they can do after they were betrayed by the Labour government,” he said.

It is now up to the residents of Marsaxlokk and Birżebbuġa to see what they can do after they were betrayed by the Labour government

Dr Busuttil said that, with the European Parliament election not even two months away, the people could convey their message when casting their vote.

San Ġwann mayor Etienne Bonello Dupuis complained that the conclusions of an inquiry to determine whether the local council building was safe had not been published yet.

Parliamentary Secretary José Herrera had ordered the probe in August after large chunks fell from the ceiling of one of the offices.

The inquiry board was due to conclude the investigation by the end of September but Mr Bonello Dupuis said the council had been told nothing.

It is still using the premises after an architect declared the rest of the building safe.

Plans for a civic centre in a more central area next to Karin Grech Garden have been put on hold.

According to the mayor, the boċċi club was due to be moved to new facilities built last year in the area known as Ta’ Żwejt. Mr Bonello Dupuis said that, for some reason following the change in government, the club was refusing to leave the present premises.

Dr Busuttil urged the authorities to intervene, saying the priority should be to have better, more central council offices.