Nationalist MP Jesmond Mugliett has challenged the Malta Environment and Planning Authority to collect samples of the notorious ‘black dust’ (or soot) from his own garden in Tarxien, since its efforts to identify the mysterious pollutant have so far yielded no results.
Speaking during last Monday’s parliamentary sitting, Jesmond Mugliett – a former infrastructure minister – stressed that MEPA must assume its responsibilities towards the people of Malta, especially residents in the South, and conduct serious scientific studies to establish the source of the black dust.
Mugliett said it was odd to note how MEPA was concentrating its investigations only on Fgura, when other localities such as Paola and Tarxien were also badly effected by the dust.
“If Malta or MEPA is not able to solve such a problem, how can we be credible with the international community to whom we have to give account of our emissions?” he told MaltaToday.
According to Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi – who is also responsible for the planning authority – the dust samples collected to date were not sufficient to identify the source, although experts would be asked to explain their scientific analysis and conclusive position, once this was reached.
He reiterated his commitment that MEPA experts would be asked to appear before a House committee to brief MPs on the black dust issue.
However, the Prime Minister said the tests so far showed that the soot did not include chemicals that would conclusively prove that it came from the power stations. He said every effort was being made to ensure that the tests were of the highest quality.
But the Prime Minister’s statement enraged the Opposition bench with MP’s Joe Mizzi and Leo Brincat, labelling the issue a “tragi-comedy”.
Mizzi challenged MEPA to make specific tests which, according to him, would undoubtedly prove that the dust was coming from the Marsa power station, especially during the period when precipitators (filters) were absent.
The Prime Minister insisted that once studies are conclusive, all results will be made public.
Meanwhile, Mugliett also denied reports on One News that he walked out of the parliament sitting after his exchange with the Prime Minister during question time.
Mugliett said that he had been informed of the report and called One News to correct the statement; however his request was ignored.
Contacted by Malta Today, Jesmond Mugliett said that he left the House at 6.28 pm, that is two minutes before question time ended, and he left because he had an urgent appointment elsewhere.
“There was absolutely no issue in my exiting the House,” Mugliett said.
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