Transport and Infrastructure Minister Joe Mizzi has added his name to that of government parliamentary whip Godfrey Farrugia as being among those who will symbolically not attend today’s Palumbo Shipyards’ sixth anniversary celebrations.
Contacted by this newspaper, Minister Mizzi confirmed that he would not be attending today’s event as he is “not comfortable with the situation of Palumbo’s operations”.
Since Palumbo began operations back in 2010, Minister Mizzi, who lives in the shipyards’ vicinity, has been among the most vocal of those voicing their concern regarding the shipyards’ activities and their detrimental effect on neighbours’ health and well-being.
Back in 2010, Transport Minister Joe Mizzi, then Opposition parliamentary whip, had lashed out against grit blasting at the Palumbo shipyards. At the time, he had insisted that the practice is in breach of air pollution legislation and was exposing Cottonera residents to health risks – a sentiment he feels still holds true six years down the line.
Earlier this week, another leading Labour politician, government parliamentary whip Godfrey Farrugia, openly declared on his Facebook page that he would boycott today’s ‘celebrations’.
He posted a photograph of his invitation to the event torn to pieces, with the comment: “Out of respect to the residents of Cottonera… and the surrounding area… I sent the invite back.”
The Italian Palumbo Group took over the shipyards back in 2010, and it has since had several run-ins with residents of the area, some of which have resulted in court disputes. There have been complaints of cars being covered in specks of white paint, allegedly due to a ship being painted, and complaints about excessive noise, although the courts acquitted Palumbo over the noise complaints, finding that there was not enough evidence to actually pinpoint the source of the noise.
Asked about his Facebook post, Dr Farrugia told this newsroom: “Before any industrialist embarks on a PR exercise to present a more esteemed image of the enterprise, and an exercise of good relations, that industry must make an in-depth analysis on how to manage its affairs by adopting better work practices, more appropriate health and safety measures and respect towards neighbourhood expectancies and social norms.
“Recent events, more so this year when Palumbo Malta is celebrating its sixth anniversary, have left much to be desired. Macho-like tactics and a lack of civic sense vividly reported by local media have tarnished my respect for such an enterprise.”
“My symbolic protest should instigate Palumbo Malta to rethink and seek a genuine path of public reconciliation.”
Last February, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat himself hit out at Palumbo for using its workers as “shields” to hide behind following a protest they held outside Castille claiming that the court case endangered their jobs.
Speaking at a political activity, Dr Muscat said: “What Palumbo has done is not acceptable. They are free to act as a private company; I am not going into this. But I do not think it is acceptable to have a leading company end up in a situation where it is fighting with residents.”
The government, Dr Muscat added, was willing to step in to mediate between the two sides.
While the Palumbo Shipyards today celebrates its sixth anniversary with fanfare and an open day, nearby residents today are marking quite a different sixth anniversary – of hardship.