Four environment non-governmental organisations this morning welcomed the Prime Minister's offer to mediate with Palumbo shipyards over the air and noise pollution.

They also welcomed Palumbo's undertaking that “they were willing to find a solution to the long-standing issues” with residents in the area surrounding the dockyard.

Flimkien għal Ambjent Ahjar, Friends of the Earth, Ramblers, and MOAM said they had been aware of the deteriorating environmental situation at the three cities and the authorities' lack of action in favour of residents who have been affected by air and noise pollution due to grit blasting and noisy work at night. 

“It is environmentally and socially unacceptable for an organisation like Palumbo to flout Malta's laws while Environmental Health Directorate, the Occupational Health and Safety Authority, (OHSA) and MEPA pass the buck instead of intervening to protect the residents who have been suffering for some three years.

“It has now been admitted that Mepa allowed Palumbo to operate without an environmental operating permit, in violation of EU regulations.  This is unthinkable for an industry which poses so many threats to the environment and especially, to people living in the vicinity of their premises,” they said.

They asked how many other industries were being allowed to operate without the necessary permits.

This, the organisations said, was yet another example among many others where commercial interests, more than others, were allowed to violate laws and regulations.