Once again I am compelled to answer Dr Christopher Ciantar of Wasteserve Malta Ltd. The more evasive he tries to be in replying to all the criticism put forward by honest citizens against the Sant’ Antnin recycling plant the less credible he sounds.
Beating about the bush won’t rectify the “erroneous” mistake that has been committed regarding the site selection. Adding insult to injury, when this so called error emerged, according to the process regulated by law, the Malta Environment and Planning Authority should have stopped the whole procedure outright and declared it as ‘null and void’. Instead, guess what happened? Mepa approved it!
Recently Dr Ciantar had the audacity to confirm that the sites were disqualified on various counts due to ecology, access, visual and agriculture. No wonder the Marsascala residents are asking the million dollar question: “Why on earth were these sites chosen in the first place?”
Trying to fathom Dr Ciantar’s strategy is time-consuming but easily detectable. Commenting in TMIS on 2 August, Dr Ciantar said that even if these sites were 47,000 square metres, on a par with that of Sant’ Antnin, they would have been less suitable for they could have carried increased impact.
In other words the guillotine only falls on Sant’ Antnin. Unbelievable but true! Not only is the information non-essential, but now the residents are being treated like idiots.
Ecologically, the Sant’ Antnin recycling plant lies in a natural valley with spring water running underneath it, filtering its way to the Il-Moqhluq. God only knows the irreparable damage this plant has caused over the years to the fauna surrounding this natural reserved habitat.
Aware of the lack of access and increase in traffic travelling to and from the new recycling plant, the construction of a new road, that would directly link Bulebel Iz-Zghir to Sant’ Antnin, is being considered. The consequence of this will be the destroying of top fertile agricultural land. Not surprisingly, all the farmers and residents in that area are up in arms. To crown it all, this plant is like having a boil on your nose. Wherever you look, it’s there! Towering 12 to 15 metres high, stretching 100 metres long. Truly an eyesore. Situated opposite the park of Friendship, adjacent to the main road leading to Marsascala, just a stone’s throw from the first dwelling – no doubt a very nice tourist welcome to Marsascala Bay!
With all this and more in mind, all the residents of Marsascala and Zejtun are calling for an independent, serious public inquiry.
Paul Cutajar
MARSASCALA