During a meeting held earlier this month between Multigas and the Kirkop local council, the company represented by chairman Louis A. Farrugia and the chief executive Officer Vincent Bartolo laid a copy on the table of the internal report prepared by the company and a copy of the report prepared by Dr Rohintan S. Irani, a world expert on gas cylinders.

The foreign expert was invited by the company to draw up a report, which included recommendations he felt appropriate following the accident that occurred in the company’s filling station on 10 April.

The Kirkop council was represented by mayor Mario Salerno, three councillors – Mrs R. Roberts, Mr S. Mizzi and Mr S. Debono – and the executive secretary Mr R. Busuttil. Also present for the meeting was MEP Joseph Muscat.

The root cause of the accident was due to the rupture of a defective cylinder, which had been established by the world expert as being defective at the original source of manufacture. In fact, all 180 cylinders bought by Multigas from this source have since been withdrawn from the market.

During the cordial meeting, the council members and the company agreed to appoint a mutually acceptable expert to interpret the reports and to confirm that safe practices are being observed ensuring a safe working environment and social infrastructure.

Also, the Kirkop local council had the opportunity of seeing the reports and voice the concerns of the community. All those present at the meeting could ask questions and a number of issues and proposals were discussed.

The recommendations drawn up by the world expert in his report were also discussed during the meeting.

It was finally agreed that the community–entrepreneur dialogue would continue in the interest of both Multigas and the community without any prejudice to issues that are still sub judice.