AD supports Birzebbuga Local Council in its actions to protect residents from the further deterioration of their quality of life.
Michael Briguglio AD Chairperson stated that the activities of the Freeport should not be further increased until such time that the present impacts on the residents are dealt with effectively. It is for this specific purpose that AD through its spokesperson for Sustainable Development Carmel Cacopardo had proposed the need for an Environmental Management System to be adopted by the Freeport Terminal way back in February 2009 when MEPA was considering the development applications.
Carmel Cacopardo AD spokesperson on Sustainable Development and Local Government pointed out that MEPA has started meeting with the Freeport Terminal representatives in order to identify the environmental issues to be tackled. It is shameful, he added, that MEPA has not felt the need to involve the Birzebbuga Local Council in these crucial talks.
Carmel Cacopardo concluded by inviting Dr Gonzi as the Minister responsible for both the Environment and Local Councils to ensure that MEPA lives up to its obligations and involves the Birzebbuga Local Council in these meetings.
It stands to reason that if an area is already having a negative impact on local residents, those issues should be addressed before any further expansion is considered.
Perhaps MEPA don’t want to involve the Birzebbuga Local Council in these crucial talks because they know that they have no answers to the issues, which would be raised. I know I’ve been trying to lodge an objection with MEPA for the past few days with no success as it keep coming back as undelivered.
Of course Birzebbuga’s local council should be involved. Any other approach does not make sense.
I full support the petition against the expansion of the Free Port at Birzebbugia. The existing one is hideous enough.