Opposition leader Simon Busuttil and PN deputy leader Mario de Marco yesterday urged the government to reconsider its decision to have the gas supply tanker berth alongside the Delimara power station.
And government backbencher Marlene Farrugia said experts had to be allowed to give “responsible advice” on what was beneficial for the country.
The three MPs were among 12 – seven from the government side and five from the Opposition – taking part in a three-hour general discussion, without a vote, on the environmental permit for the new gas-fired power plant.
Dr Busuttil said the Opposition did not suggest the government should withdraw the project but what it disagreed with was having a gas storage facility moored in Marsaxlokk Bay. In the many presentations made before the general election by Labour, only a smaller on-shore storage facility was mentioned.
These people felt that Labour had used them and betrayed them
Next Monday, Mepa would be asked to decide on this project and authorise the gas storage facility.
Dr Busuttil said one had to consider the implications on health, property prices and tourism, among other factors. But the government was ignoring the residents. These people felt that Labour had used them and betrayed them.
It was a disgrace that the Labour MPs elected from the south and the Labour-controlled councils were not voicing the people’s concerns.
He quoted Hans Pasman, an expert who had warned that if the gas cloud was ignited it would kill all the people in the flame and may have a blast effect categorised as being 50 per cent lethal. Would the government say this expert was scaremongering, as the Opposition was accused of doing?
The expert commissioned by the government, George Papadakis, had submitted his own report with a huge disclaimer about ignition sources. His report certainly did not provide any peace of mind.
Where was the maritime study about shipping movements in Marsaxlokk Bay, which was also used by the Freeport?
The Marsaxlokk fishermen had also warned of the ferocity of the weather in Marsaxlokk Bay itself in certain conditions. What if it moved the storage facility?
It was essential, Dr Busuttil insisted, that the regulatory authorities made their decisions with the interests of the nation and the people in mind, rather than the government’s political targets. Dr Busuttil said the PN on Sunday morning would hold a rally in Marsaxlokk to voice the people’s concerns and would also be present at the Mepa meeting on Monday. However, he hoped that before then, the government would find the courage to listen and change its decision.
Earlier, Dr de Marco said caution seemed to indicate that if one was to make use of gas before the implementation of the gas pipeline, one should opt for a floating gas storage outside the port. He appealed to the government not to take hasty decisions and to put Malta’s interests before anything else.
Marlene Farrugia (PL) said she would be the voice of the people, who voted for cheaper utility tariffs, cleaner environment, security in the provision of energy and health security in the last general election.
Noting that all MPs were not experts in the energy sector, Dr Farrugia said that one had to allow experts to give responsible advice on what was beneficial to the country.
Dr Farrugia, who chairs the House Committee on Environment and Development Planning, had been in favour of last night’s debate being held within the committee, for which experts would have been called.
However, asked for his direction, the Speaker had said it should be held in plenary.
Winding up the debate, Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi restated the benefits of using gas instead of oil for the power station. He said the government’s decision was based on expert advice and all risks were being mitigated.
The government had decided on a floating facility because it could be towed away when it was no longer needed. The facility would have no impact on sea currents and movements in Marsaxlokk or on the ecology on land. Since embarking on discussions on this project, the PL has kept the health of the residents as a priority and adhered to EU and Maltese legislation.
Amid interruptions, Dr Mizzi said the people of Marsaxlokk and Birżebbuġa were in favour of the project. Opposition whip David Agius said the minister should name the source of his claim.
Continuing amid further interruptions, Mr Mizzi said the relevant reports had been published, including the environment impact assessment and social impact assessment. Later he informed the Speaker that the relevant quote was found on page 486 of the Social Impact Assessment and could be read online.
A detailed report of the sitting can be read on timesofmalta.com.