Alternattiva Demokratika chairperson Dr Harry Vassallo, in a press conference held outside the government primary school in Sannat, Gozo said that explosive residues from the firing of petards close to the school meant that it was an annual recurrence during the Munxar festa period and that such explosive residues were found by school children attending the school.

“It is no excuse that such an intolerable situation has been tolerated for many years. The status quo stinks and should be changed,” Dr Vassallo said.

“In order to permit the firing of the petards some country roads are closed by the police. One is free to suppose that they do not close down the school as well only because they have no authority over it,” Dr Vassallo said.

“Such absurdities prevail all over the country with priority given to groups of persons who cause a very significant nuisance and often unnecessary risks to other persons or their properties,” Dr Vassallo continued.

He added that the only explanation was that the other political parties are afraid to address the matter because whichever of them imposes sanity on the situation would be exposed to the electoral opportunism of the other. “Band clubs, fireworks factories and fireworks organizers are regarded as sacrosanct by the authorities because the politicians have traditionally bent over backwards to accommodate them,” Dr Vassallo said.