Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/357188
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 3 AUGUST 2014 News 5 JURGEN BALZAN A noisy generator supplying power to the machinery excavating a tunnel for the Malta-Sicily interconnector in the quiet neighbourhood in Swieqi is not covered by a MEPA permit. This week, a number of Swieqi resi- dents had to endure sleepless nights after Polidano Group, the contrac- tor engaged by Enemalta to dig the underground distribution tunnels to link the subsea cable landing at Bahar ic-Caghaq to the Distribution Centre in Kappara, parked a generator a few metres away from the new police sta- tion and civic centre. Speaking to MaltaToday, an En- emalta spokesperson explained that the generator will "only be in use for a maximum of eight weeks". When asked whether the genera- tor is covered by MEPA permits, the spokesperson said he was not aware whether the contractor had applied for a MEPA permit. "However," he said rather lamely, "since the generator is temporary and is servicing the excavation works it might not need a permit." Questions sent to MEPA on wheth- er the authority issued any permits remained unanswered, but MEPA's online resources show that no appli- cation was filed. In comments to MaltaToday, Sw- ieqi's deputy mayor, Justin Fenech, said "Enemalta need to get their act together and deal with this issue. It is unfair that residents are requested to obtain permits for any construction- related vehicles or equipment and then Enemalta comes along and sets up a generator without informing the council or residents." He noted that residents in the im- mediate area could not open their windows, though it is summer, due to the noise, smell and exhaust. "No one wants such pollution out- side their front door, especially if it's being produced all day and some- times even throughout the night. I really wonder if the people respon- sible at Enemalta would find this acceptable were it their family and children living next door." Residents reported that over the past week, the generator was in use as early as 6:30am and on occasion, was still working after 10pm. But on Friday afternoon, the gen- erator was switched off, with a resi- dent writing on the Swieqi Residents Facebook page "At last. We can live in peace, hopefully that noise will not return. Thanks to all that helped and gave their input." Enemalta said that the generator is being used by Enemalta's contractor to energise the machinery that is ex- cavating the final stretch of the tun- nels. "Excavation works are expected to be completed within eight weeks, depending on the type of rock found in the tunnel's path. Unfortunately, due to the machinery's technical re- quirements, the generator cannot be moved to another location until these works are completed." Moreover, he said that Enemalta noted the local council's concerns and asked the contractor to ensure that the generator's emissions are monitored and reduced as much as possible. Following the newspaper's queries, Enemalta also asked the contractor not to carry out excavation works at night. While understanding the residents' legitimate complaints, the state util- ity's spokesperson said that since the generator could not be placed inside the tunnels for safety reasons, and electricity cables could not be used because of the long distances in- volved, the contractor had no choice but to place the generator on a pri- vately owned stretch of land over the excavations. "Enemalta regrets any inconven- ience caused. We reiterate our com- mitment to continue working to consolidate electricity generation and distribution services, in the best inter- est of our customers," he said. No permit for Swieqi temporary generator tional competence, the government felt that the association's project was not in the best public interest". Yacht Club's reaction Contacted by MaltaToday, Royal Malta Yacht Club commodore God- win Zammit expressed the club's disagreement with the court's deci- sion and announced that an appeal has already been filed. The RMYC objected to the court's description of the RMYC as a 'pri- vate entity'. "This is not a private organisation but a public one and this because no one is prohibited from joining the club as a member and also be- cause the club is administered by a committee whose members work voluntarily and are elected by the members of the club". Zammit insists that the club is not a profit-making organisation since all proceeds made by the club are spent on the club itself with the aim of furthering the development of yachting in Malta. "The way the club is organised is no different from any normal sports club and is registered as a sports organisation with the Kunsill Malti tal-iSport." The Royal Malta Yacht Club in- sists that the use it is making of the land, namely that of a sailing school, is in the public interest. "Through its sailing activities and its sailing school the club is provid- ing the opportunity for people to learn to sail and to participate in sailing as a sport." Zammit insists that it is of ut- most importance for Malta to have a yacht club that promotes sailing, especially considering that Malta is constantly promoted as a mari- time hub. The club also contributes to the economy by hosting foreign sailing schools that have come to train sailors here in the winter. He also referred to the many lo- cal and international sailing events organised by the club, including the Rolex Middle Sea race. "This race is a major international race of great benefit to the island's economy and very much in the public interest. The club enjoys an impeccable international reputa- tion and is important to the growth of the yachting industry." According to Zammit, the expro- priation and subsequent use of the land in question falls within the definition of public interest given in various judgements decided by the European Court of Human Rights and the Constitutional Court. jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt