Nationalist MEP Roberta Metsola had backed complaints by Birzebbuga council and others after Mepa issued a permit to Malta Freeport which will enable it to repair oil rigs.

"It is absolutely clear that once again residents are totally against this move which would simply create another dockyard in an area close to where a massive LNG floating facility will be berthed in Marsaxlokk. It is heartening to see that unlike what happened in Marsaxlokk, this Council has put residents' interests above partisan gains, is objecting to this idea and has signalled its concern with this coming so soon after the Government's insistence on the LNG tanker", said Dr Metsola, who led the petition to the European Parliament on the safety concerns posed by the tanker in Marsaxlokk.

"Despite the objections, MEPA has once again bowed to pressure and approved a project that runs contrary to the residents' wishes and once again ran roughshod over all opposition", said Dr Metsola.

"This Government has already badly damaged its environmental credentials, and this latest move does nothing to restore people's confidence in it. This is not about partisan interests, even the Labour-led Local Council is objecting to the idea. We will not abandon the residents of the towns and villages this Government ignores. We will continue to stand with them", concluded Dr Metsola.