Motion on HFO is ‘tactical move’ by Debono to have election ban overturned - Mugliett

"My interpretation of the motion is that this is a tactical move by Hon Franco Debono in his bid to have the ruling of the PN executive overturned," former PN minister Jesmond Mugliett has told MaltaToday.

Mugliett, who over the years has been vociferous on Enemalta's operations, especially on the black dust issue, believes that the motion came about as

"most probably, behind the scenes talks between the PN's envoys and Franco Debono came to an impasse, and Franco pulled out a tactical move to show that he still has ammunition."

According to Mugliett, " the move strikes a popular chord - the public's dislike (particularly voters from the south of Malta) for the use of Heavy Fuel Oil for electricity generation and also other repercussions such as the transport of the resultant toxic waste.
While steering clear from commenting on how whether he would support the motion, Mugliett told MaltaToday that "
"before going into the merits of the motion, one has to see whether it will be discussed at all."

PN MP Franco Debono's motion calls for the cessation of the use of heavy fuel oil firing the Delimara power station extension's turbines.

The motion, filed on Thursday, also demands that the national energy corporation's petroleum operation in Birzebbugia, the 31 March 1979 depot, is closed down.

The motion states that the use of heavy fuel oil for the Delimara extension was "unacceptable" as well as "detrimental and of serious threat" to the health of residents in the Birzebbugia, Marsaxlokk, Zejtun, Marsaskala and neighbouring localities.

The motion calls on the House of Representatives to approve that the petroleum operation formerly known as the Shell depot, is removed at once, while the use of HFO in Delimara is instantly stopped. "Substantial measures must be taken to stop any development in the area that is not in conformity with EU directives."

Debono's motion comes at a time of general political lull as the prime minister is currently on vacation, but the call to stop the Delimara power station from running on heavy fuel oil strikes right at the heart of the government's current policy on energy. Lawrence Gonzi will be addressing a political meeting in Birzebbugia, one of the localities affected by the Delimara power station, on Sunday at 11am.

Meanwhile, Independent MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando has requested a meeting with Nationalist MP Franco Debono to discuss the motion calling for the cessation of the use heavy fuel oil to fire the Delimara power station's new turbines.

"I appreciate Pullicino Orlando's efforts and his interest in my motion. We will be meeting in the coming days to discuss it," Debono said.

Earlier today, Pullicino Orland told MaltaToday that he was planning to contact Franco Debono to discuss the issue.

"I plan on discussing the motion with Hon. Debono and would rather give you my opinion after doing so," Pullicino Orlando said.