Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1531843
11 NEWS maltatoday | SUNDAY • 26 JANUARY 2025 delayed promises plague Birzebbuga residents trians and swimmers as part of a €4 million project. Ahead of the same election, the government also prom- ised a €40 million investment to transform the San Luċjan oil-tanking facility on the oth- er side of the town into a fam- ily-friendly space for research and investment. The project, known as Is-Siċċa, was prom- ised to cover an 18,000 square metre area, with residents shown flashy photomontages of what the site would look like upon completion. MaltaToday asked the Energy Ministry about the progress of each of these promises. Removal of tanks awaiting PA permit A spokesperson for the min- istry said that with regards to the 31st March plant, the dis- mantling of the storage tanks is still awaiting approval from the Planning Authority. "It is pertinent to note that the plant has officially been removed from the list of sites subject to the Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) regula- tions. At this site, Enemed has been engaged in a months-long process to empty and clean the Birżebbuġa tanks of petrol and diesel residues, and the bottom stock has been removed." The spokesperson added that the pipe system connecting the tanks, as well as the system linking the plant to the pier at Birżebbuġa and the Dolphin at Marsaxlokk, has been disman- tled. Just across the road, the Pont tax-Shell's pipes have also been cleaned and dismantled. "Project Green is conducting research, analysis, and site in- vestigations in order to pro- ceed to the next phases," the spokesperson said, adding that Project Green had recently held a consultation meeting with residents to discuss ideas and designs. "Meanwhile, site investiga- tions and studies have com- menced and are ongoing. These studies focus on assess- ing the stability of the existing quay structure and evaluat- ing the surrounding environ- ment." The spokesperson also men- tioned that geotechnical and structural analyses of the quay are currently underway and are expected to be completed by the first half of 2025. Oil Tanking terminal to be dismantled Regarding the Siċċa project, the spokesperson said that the Planning Authority had condi- tionally approved the disman- tling of the terminal. "As a re- sult, Petromal, which operated the San Luċjan Oil Facility, is- sued three tenders for testing of soil and groundwater, waste removal, tank cleaning, and the dismantling of the steel tanks." MaltaToday was also in- formed that the cleaning and dismantling of the tanks had been delayed due to an "ap- peals process." The ministry spokesperson also mentioned three complet- ed projects in the locality. Independence Garden has been transformed into a revi- talised space with 20 new trees and shaded areas. Meanwhile, a community garden in Qajjen- za has become the area's first open space, featuring recycled play equipment, planted green- ery, and accessible ramps. Fur- thermore, the first phase of de- velopment at Bengħajsa Family Park has been completed, with plans for a 7,000-square-metre extension in progress. Benghajsa family park The 31 March oil storage facility and the pier known as Il-Pont tax-Shell