Contradictory statements by Enemalta are unacceptable - DLH

Contradictory statements by Enemalta on the fate of the Has-Saptan fuelling dolphin are unacceptable, according to NGO Din L-Art Helwa (DLH).

Executive president of DLH Simone Mizzi said that media reports of Enemalta's actions regarding the plans contradict one another and that Enemalta should make public its decision.

In the final volume 7 of the Environmental Impact Assessment of the gas-fired power station at Delimara, finalised on 25 February, Enemalta’s consultants confirmed that the Has-Saptan fuelling dolphin will not be relocated as it will not affect the operations of the power station. This is the reason given as to why the relocation of this dolphin is not considered in the EIA.

The Has-Saptan fuelling dolphin is located in Marsaxlokk bay mid-way between the Delimara power station and the San Lucjan promontory, and is used to load fuel from ships to the Has-Saptan onshore storage installation.

"Yet it was reported in the press yesterday, 9 March, that Enemalta is submitting a separate application to remove the Has-Saptan dolphin after all, as recommended in a report by Italian expert Umberto Maffezzoli which has not yet been made available to the public," Mizzi said.

"Din l-Art Helwa finds it unacceptable that Enemalta should make such contradictory statements within a space of less than two weeks, and just before the application is due to be decided by the MEPA board on 24 March."

Mizzi said that the fuelling dolphin's new location should be indicated and considered within the same EIA as its relocation has a direct impact on the project.

Din l-Art Helwa is requesting that the Maffezzoli report should be published and that Enemalta should indicate the area to which the Has-Saptan fuelling dolphin will be relocated.