Joseph Muscat promised this afternoon that a Labour government would convert the site of the Marsa power station into a recreation and commercial zone.

Speaking at the gates of the old power house, the Labour leader said the old Marsa power station would be closed down in the shortest possible time, giving neighbours better air quality. Then the whole site would be returned to the people.

Dr Muscat reiterated his party's commitment to safeguard the jobs of all Enemalta workers, adding that although the proposed new gas plant in Delimara would be run by a private operator it would still use Enemalta workers.

Reacting to the doubts raised by Finance Minister Tonio Fenech on the location of the two large gas storage tanks proposed in the PL plan, Dr Muscat cynically said: "maybe he had a vision from Our Lady."

Dr Muscat said the Labour plan would ensure that Enemalta would start making a profit after years of losses.

If nothing was done and the situation remained unchanged, Enemalta would flounder and workers' jobs would be lost, he said.

2009 PROJECT

In July 2009 the government had also announced a rehabilitation project for the area. It was to have included a 170-berth yacht marina and a 1.5km long promenade at the Marsa menqa (creek).

At the time, minister Austin Gatt said this was a major project to transform a site previously associated with heavy industry into an area for recreation and entertainment.

The project also involved landscaping and the restoration of buildings, including the old Chadwick stores, built by Lord Chadwick, which were to be used for offices.

The  project was expected to be taken in hand in 2011 and was to be extended to the old power station once it was closed down. 

So far only road works have been taken in hand. 

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090703/local/one.263525

MUSCAT VISITS MARSA FAMILY

After his press conference Dr Muscat visited Roland Bezzina, a 32-year-old nurse, his wife Ritianne and their eight-year-old daughter and seven-month-old baby, at their home in Marsa.

This was the first of a series of home visits Dr Muscat will be carrying out.

The Bezzina family were chosen for the first visit because they would be one of 103,000 families who would benefit from a 30 per cent reduction rate in utility bills through the Labour Party’s proposals, the PL said. 

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