Muscat tells Marsaxlokk residents LNG tanker is not permanent

The LNG storage vessel which the government plans to berth inside the Marsaxlokk Harbour will be removed once Malta benefits from EU funds to have a gas pipeline in place, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said.

Speaking in Marsaxlokk this evening, Muscat underlined his government’s commitment to convert energy generation to gas which would eliminate “one million tonnes of particulate matter from the air” and reduce energy tariffs.

Without saying whether the LNG storage vessel would be relocated outside the Marsaxlokk harbour, Muscat said that the tanker would be removed completely once EU funds make a gas pipeline possible.

Pointing out that Marsaxlokk residents were more concerned about the old power plant in the locality which he insisted on calling "a cancer factory," Muscat said that his government would guarantee a cleaner air quality by constructing a new power plant.  

"We will be eliminating the old system being used today to give you and your children better air quality. By switching from heavy fuel oil, the most polluting fuel, to natural gas, we will be removing a million tonnes a year of from the air. Over and above this, utility bills are being reduced. This is what we promised and this is what we are delivering," he said at the well-attended party activity.

Turning to a new initiative announced earlier today, Muscat said his government was delivering what it promised. “Today, we have announced plans to reduce the waiting list for cataract surgery from the current two years to one year by 2015 and to four months by 2016.”

Government intends to slash waiting times through optimal use of resources at Mater Dei Hospital as well as investment in new equipment.

Muscat added that this initiative, together with public private partnerships to reduce the waiting lists for MRI scans, would ensure that government’s promises to improve the health services become a reality.

He told the fishing community in Marsaxlokk that his government would stand up for their rights and shifted the responsibility for tuna and swordfish quotas squarely on the EU’s doorstep.

"We acknowledge that you are worried on a number of issues including tuna and swordfish quotas but these issues are up to Europe. However, you can rest assured that government will stick up for you.”

Turning to the European elections to be held on 24 May, Muscat said “We need to elect people who stand by government in its efforts to defend the country’s interests and negotiate the best deal with the EU in the fishing community’s best interests.”