The Democratic Party has denounced the decision to turn an abandoned quarry close to Mnajdra and Ħaġar Qim temples into a landfill, saying this was an act of impunity against a world heritage site.
The harsh criticism was levelled during a news conference on Thursday outside the temples’ visitors centre.
“If authorities do not respect our heritage, how can we expect upcoming generations to cherish these temples?” PD MP Marlene Farrugia asked.
Times of Malta reported that the Environment Rescources Authority issued a permit for the landfilling activity at the site known as Tal-Magħluq, on the outskirts of Qrendi and Siġġiewi, in just three days.
However, the regulator is insisting that it conducted all necessary studies and consultation before giving the green light. The ERA received a report that a hydraulic hammer had been spotted onsite and consequently concerns were raised that vibrations during its operation could damage the temples’ foundations.
However, the regulator said that following an investigation it turned out that no excavation was going on. This hammer was being used as a crusher to compact the construction waste as part of the quarry’s restoration, it said.
Read: ERA silent as crushing gets underway near Mnajdra Temples
In her reaction, Dr Farrugia questioned the type of studies carried out by the ERA.
She noted that when the protective tents to safeguard the temples from the elements were being constructed a few years ago, a study had been carried to ensure that no damage would be caused by the drilling of the holes used to mount the structure.
“This time around, somebody simply decided to start dumping inert material and use a crusher to compact the debris, which in turn causes vibrations,” she remarked.
The PD MP recounted that plans to convert this abandoned quarry to a landfill went back to 2003.
“Fortunately, at the time we had fought tooth and nail against this proposal together with the Siġġiewi and Qrendi communities, and the proposal had been ditched,” she noted.
“This is a sacred site which is part of our national identity and should be safeguarded, even in view of its world heritage status,” Dr Farrugia added.