From Mr J. Grixti

One does not know whether to laugh or cry after reading the reply given in Parliament by Dr Austin Gatt to a PQ last month.

The Minister is reported as having replied that this Birzebbuga Petrol Depot will be closed in 2007; however no decision on its future use has been taken yet.

Does the Minister realise that 2007 is only a couple of years away?

We, the residents of Qajjenza, have been promised for at least the last 15 years that another Enemalta installation, the Gas Depot, would be relocated. There have been studies and permit applications, and more studies and the result is – nothing has changed. No alternative depot has started being built at Benghajsa as promised, and the Qajjenza depot has not been closed down, notwithstanding assurances that once Malta joins the EU this would not be permitted.

It is clear that we never learn, and we still continue to set deadlines which we know are impossible to keep. Has an alternative site for Birzebbuga Depot been selected, MEPA permits applied for, tenders prepared and so on. Will MEPA have given its permission and construction completed in two years’ time?

Who will win the relocation race? Birzebbuga or Qajjenza?

Joseph Grixti

BIRZEBBUGA