The scandal of the LNG tanker in Marsaxlokk Bay is another example of the cavalier attitude that the government adopts where the health and safety of citizens, in this case the residents of Marsaxlokk, Birżebbuġa and Żejtun, is concerned.
As we know, it is allowing the floating regasification and storage unit – better known as the gas tanker - to be permanently moored inside the bay, close to densely-populated urban areas and dangerously close to the power station. Its huge bulk and its position in the middle of the harbour will definitely interfere with navigation even of small fishing craft, let alone large container ships using the Freeport.
This project is also a prime example of the lack of true consultation: a characteristic of the present government. After years of procrastination, it has published no less than 15,000 pages of technical reports full of esoteric jargon that the public is expected to absorb in just 40 days. This makes a sham of the consultation process and is in clear violation of the Seveso Directive of the European Union. The government, that is responsible for public consultations, should note this.
Among these consultation documents is the External Emergency Plan which, among other things, stipulates that an evacuation protocol should be in place in case of an accident. However, to date, we do not know which residents would be evacuated and from which localities, how many people would be involved and how would the evacuation be carried out. We do not even know what are the emergency plans, if they exist. Will the government be holding any exercise drills of such an evacuation?
After years of procrastination, it has published no less than 15,000 pages of technical reports full of esoteric jargon
Before these questions are answered, the government cannot expect people to feel safe and reassured. After all, a few gas cylinders inside the Cafe Premier worried the Prime Minister to the point that he hastily authorised the payment of €4.2 million to have them removed, but the equivalent of 7 million gas cylinders (such is the approximate cubic capacity of the tanker) seems not to worry him at all.
Meanwhile, it is shameful that Electrogas has issued a misleading statement boasting that the tanker was not affected by the recent gregale storm. Anyone familiar with weather conditions - or even someone just looking at a map of the area – will realise that Marsaxlokk harbour is well-sheltered from north-easterly winds but is vulnerable to south and south-easterly gales.
It is indeed shameful but not the least worrying that the public should be deceived in this way and that, rather than looking out for the people’s interest, the government is collaborating with businessmen to mislead the public.
How can the public trust the govern-ment and the company responsible for the generation of electricity that all saftey precautions are being undertaken when it is blantly deceiving the public on such an obvious issue?
And this is the main reason why the Opposition is preoccupied about the safety of the residents living in close proximity to the LNG tanker, mainly residents from the localities of Marsaxlokk, Birżebbuġa, Żejtun and Marsascala.
Consequently, one should also ask himself: can we trust this government?
What we need is the government setting people’s mind at rest that the LNG tanker moored at Marsaxlokk Bay does not, under any circumstances, represent a danger to the people living and working in the area. There is also the issue of whether fireworks will still be allowed for the village feasts of Żejtun, Marsaxlokk and Birżebbuġa as well as for the annual fireworks festival. Moreover the fishermen have to know that they will not be affected during the refuelling of the LNG tanker.
The government must shoulder responsibility for its decisions and reassure the public that, whatever the circumstances, the gas tanker will never be of any danger, even in the worst storms to hit Marsaxlokk Bay.
Toni Bezzina is Nationalist Party spokesman on agriculture and fisheries.