Lija fireworks factory potentially operating without permits
Fireworks factory in Lija potentially operating despite lack of police permits.
25 November 2012, 12:00am
Nestor Laiviera
Nestor Laiviera
1 min read
Four men died in the explosion in the Qalb Tal-Madonna fireworks factory in Gharb earlier this month.
Weekly newspaper Illum reports that despite lacking police permits to operate as a fireworks factory, the Lija site is potentially being used to illegally manufacture fireworks.
The newspaper reveals that sources reported sighting a number of vehicles in the vicinity of the fireworks factory on days and times when fireworks enthusiasts tend to practice their hobby.
However contacted by Illum, Police confirmed that the Lija fireworks factory has not been granted a permit to operate as such this year yet.
Police also maintained that it had received no reports or information of the fireworks factory being used illegally.
However police did not reply to questions inquiring whether it will investigate the case, or whether it will take any further steps in this regard.
The report comes in the wake of a fireworks tragedy in Gharb, Gozo, which led to the deaths of four fireworks enthusiasts that has sparked anew the debate regarding whether the traditional Maltese hobby of fireworks is safe to practice or not.
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I live in the proximity of the lija fireworks factory and understand that the operation was there years before I moved there with my family. It was a situation I knew about and accepted. I cannot understand why there is this injustice that the factory has to be within the parameters of the law when it was there in the first place. Whoever issued building permits and went to live there was quite aware of the potential hazard.They are the ones who accepted the factory when they bought/ developed or issued permits. They are the ones in the wrong.
As for the people who work the fireworks I consider them to be like extreme sports athletes. They know the risk and its up to them to risk their lives or not. We the spectators enjoy the thrills of their risk taking.
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Where are they buying their material from?
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How can a fireworks factory be lacking permits and allowed to operate with no problem? But that is understandable since our authorities in Malta only react after something bad happens. I suggest the authorities check out this fireworks factory before they have another tragedy on their hands. Please don't wait until it becomes too late.
