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4 News maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 2 OCTOBER 2013 Wied id-Dis fireworks extension proposed Youths caught trying to siphon fuel from trucks Court places two youths under probation after they are caught red-handed stealing fuel CHRIS MANGION TWO youths were put on three years' probation after being caught red-handed in the act of stealing fuel from three vehicles in Zabbar. Inspector Frankie Sammut explained that on the night of 29 September, the police arrested the two accused while they tried to siphon diesel from an empty tank. Mark John Desira, 17 years old, of Zejtun and Alex Galea, 20, of Birzebbugia, were accused of stealing €100 in diesel from two trucks and also the attempted theft of more fuel from a third truck (which was empty). The youths were also charged with damaging private property. Desira alone was accused of driving a vehicle without a license and insurance. Magistrate Giovanni Grixti placed the two youths under a three-year probation period and ordered that Desira's driving licence be suspended for a year, starting when he turns 18. Lawyer Franco Debono appeared for the accused. The application, presented in December, was only validated by MEPA last week JAMES DEBONO AN application has been proposed for an extension of the St Bartolomew ODZ fireworks factory in the Wied id-Dis, Gharghur. The application foresees four 35m2 workshops, a 14m2 workshop for packing colours, a 14m2 workshop for mixing round coloured stars, a 21m2 flash-powder mixing room, a 20m2 drying shed and stores measuring 18m2. The application, presented in December, was only validated by MEPA last week. Three years ago, in April 2010, a loud explosion shook the St Bartholomew factory, but two men who were inside at the time escaped unscathed. MEPA is presently revising its policies on fireworks factories, now that the government has appointed a committee, chaired by pyrotechnics organisation lawyer and Labour MP Michael Falzon. jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt Deadlines being met for Cottonera project – minister €1.5 million has been paid in architects' fees for work on Dock 1 Transport Minister Joe Mizzi (centre): "Last March I promised that by the end of September, a substantial part of the project would be ready. As you can now see, this promise has been kept" JAMES J. PISCOPO THE Cottonera project is on track and timeframes are being respected, Transport and Infrastructure Minister Joe Mizzi said yesterday morning. Addressing a press conference on site, Mizzi said the Dock 1 project was one of his first priorities when he took office last March, and that despite the fact that €5 million had already been spent upon his taking office, the project was then in a state of abandon. In spite of the delays, the architects responsible for the project have been paid €1.5 million. "Last March I promised that by the end of September, a substantial part of the project should be ready. As you can now see, this promise was kept. Eighty per cent of the footpath is ready, and a flood-relief project was also installed," the minister said. He announced infrastructural works at Gavino Gulia Square that are currently progressing and offer the least inconvenience to the public. The first phase will be completed in 10 days' time. "All this work was done in a relatively short time; more work was done in the last six months than in the last six years under the previous government." Joe Mizzi said he hoped the project would be completely ready by next summer, though it will cost another €1.7 million in the process. The minister asked Cospicua Mayor Alison Zerafa to forward any public feedback she receives to his ministry. On her part, the mayor thanked Mizzi for his dedication, describing the project as "a gift" to her locality. For a couple of minutes prior to the conference, Mizzi was seen inspecting the work. By the end of the conference, he had remarked that heavy vehicles were still entering the area and asked the responsible officials to take the necessary action when possible. jpiscopo@mediatoday.com.mt

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