Updated | Labour denounces Ricasoli privatisation, 'country has become land of artists' impressions’

Adds reaction by government

The finance ministry has defended the procedure by which government is following to privatize the tank cleaning farm in Ricasoli, insisting that it followed the Disposal of Government Land Act and through a public call for offers.

Government is aiming on giving the site through a30-year emphyteutical deed.

The ministry said it was true that government's preferred route was for the activity to be removed from Ricasoli.

"In 2008, Transport Malta had in fact issued a request for proposals for the provision of a port reception facility for ship generated waste oils. At the time, operators were being asked to manage the facility for two years and then transfer their operation elsewhere," the ministry said.

However, there was only applicant who had satisfied the requirements and had been ready to provide a land to where the facility could move. But due to technical reasons, MEPA had not granted the necessary permits to build the new facility on the proposed land.

"Transport Malta had then commissioned a study that concluded that the only site that could satisfy all requirements requested by MEPA was the existing site at Ricasoli," the ministry said.

The ministry went on to criticise Dalli for "not verifying the facts". It said that Malta had legal international obligations to provide a port reception facility under the MARPOL Convention.

"Since MEPA had not granted its permission for the alternative site, government had no other option than to offer the current site," it said.

Earlier

Labour spokesperson for public service and government investments Helena Dalli has denounced government's decision to keep the Oil Tank Cleaning Facilities (OTCF) in Ricasoli, by privatising it, despite a series of reports  which called for it to be closed and removed.

Addressing the media this morning, Helena Dalli said that by privatising this facility means that government has forged ahead and ignored a report prepared by Mimcol and other experts who described the installation as an "eyesore" and a "public hazard."

She denounced the fact that the tender - which closes this week - obliges government to be responsible for the restoration and upkeep of the historic fortifications around Ricasoli and Rinella.

"This means that whoever wins the contract and takes over the facilities will immediately turn on government to fork out taxpayers' money to restore the crumbling fortifications," Dalli said, adding that rather than regenerating the area for the benefit of the Maltese and tourists, "this area will now remain an eyesore for the next 30 years."

While expressing disappointment at the tender, Helena Dalli said that the worst part of this "blatant case of maladministration" was that government has issued a call for tenders and will privatise this facility without seeking a  parliamentary discussion.

"We can say that we are living in a land of artists impressions," Dalli said, adding that government seems to be only intent on duping the electorate with artists' designs on a series of projects which will in fact never materialise.

Questioned about what would Labour do on the said facilities, Helena Dalli said that it "would certainly listen to the experts" and get the nations' money's worth for the reports commissioned.