A few weeks ago, this newspaper published an article on Marsa, accompanied by a number of photographs of unkempt areas of the locality. The Malta Independent asked Dr Vassallo what the AD believes can be done to resolve this situation.

The chairman explained that the rampant pollution of the area probably contributes to owners not caring for their property. If the pollution is remedied, the value of property in Marsa will rise and therefore people will be more likely to invest in development and upkeep of property, he said.

At the conference, called by the party to voice its concern about Marsa, the AD chairman said that the drawing up of a national energy plan would set targets for the development of renewable energy sources and energy conservation. This would also create a timetable for phasing out the Marsa power station which lies in the middle of a densely populated area, continued Dr Vassallo.

Since EU standards on air quality must be fully implemented, AD also called for a plan to rehabilitate the environment in the industrial south of Malta. Dr Vassallo said that the development of a power station in Delimara, which he said the Nationalist Party had promised will replace the Marsa power station, has not been justified.

“The country has lost precious years in terms of the development of renewable energy sources, which would make the phasing out of the Marsa power station possible,” continued the chairman. Solar energy has been wasted and pollution generated unnecessarily, he said.

“The Marsa power station is another monument symbolising the incompetence of past PN and MLP administration.” Dr Vassallo urged voters to keep in mind that AD is the only political party which has consistently been in favour of the closure of the Marsa power station. AD’s candidate for the EP election Prof. Arnold Cassola said that, if elected, he will not refrain from defending Maltese and Gozitan citizens because of fear of embarrassing the government. He said he will raise issues like those of the Marsa power station, the hospital incinerator and the proposed landfill at Mnajdra.

“The Greens have always been consistent on environmental matters and the Maltese can rest assured that a vote for the Greens is a vote for the health of their children,” concluded Prof. Cassola.