Żminijietna – Voice of the Left fully understands that all the petrol stations in urban areas need to be removed to open and safe areas and, we also understand that to find a proper place to relocate a petrol station is a bit difficult in our tiny island. But we don’t understand why Mepa had to give another permit for a petrol station, massive in size, on an agricultural land in Żebbiegħ. We see this decision as ridiculous and non-sensical. 

We think that all this dilemma of conflicting of views lies in Mepa itself. Mepa now has no other option, but to treat all owners of petrol stations, subject to a relocation equally with the same criteria, as the ones in Attard and Ta’ Buqana. That’s why we don’t have trust in the authority on this particular issue any more. A proper consultation with environmental NGOs and other stakeholders in the early stages would have avoided these problems.

Another point to ask is: Why is Mepa not identifying new sites which are already affected by a certain development? Maybe, it could have been a good idea to make use of the existing quarry in Mġarr Road instead of the land chosen.

Żminijietna believes that Mepa should be more environmentally conscious in its decisions. Changing the organisation’s mentality to a progressive one is an important aspect in Mepa’s reform.  

■ David Pisani

PRO

Żminijietna – Voice of the Left