New factories inoperative for two years due to lack of electricity

Just before the 2008 general election, government had devoluted the land in Xewkija for a 65-year lease. The applicants build the factories out of their own pockets, while government was meant to provide water and electricity.

"Two years have passed since we finished developing the factories, and yet today we can't start operating," the disgruntled factory owners told GozoToday.

One owner insisted that in the meantime the owners still had to pay the rent and other fees to maintain the area clean.

The Xewkija Industrial Park is managed by the Malta Industrial Parks Ltd, falling under Malta Enterprise.

Replying to questions sent by GozoToday, Malta Enterprise (ME) confirmed that there have been some stumbling blocks which hindered the issue of permits by the Planning Authority.

The Xewkija local council and residents of the locality reportedly complained over the development of the sub-station.

"Objections were raised by the local council and the residents with regards to the site of the sub-station. This delayed the issuing of the relative MEPA permit, which was eventually only issued last April," a spokesman for ME said.

Since then, the spokesman said the construction of the new sub-station has now been completed.

Electricity will be supplied once Enemalta completes the installation of the transformer and related switchgear.

"This process should be completed by October," the spokesman said, adding that MEPA would then issue the compliance certificate.

On the other hand, water mains have long been laid and ready.

Malta Enterprise also confirmed that at this stage, the only pending permit was related to a new proposed parking area near the site of the new sub-station.

However, Malta Enterprise is confident that this should not affect the issuing of the compliance certification. Such certification is necessary for the installation of the electricity and WSC meters, but the existing infrastructure is already covered by the permits that have been issued.

This article appeared in GozoToday