Updated | Government to appeal MEPA's Freeport decision

The government will be appealing a decision taken by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority allowing Freeport to carry out repair and maintenance of oil rigs for one year.

The is the first time that the government plans to appeal a decision taken by the MEPA board members which was in favour of the applicant.

With six votes in favour and three votes against, the MEPA board on Thursday approved the Freeport’s application. Labour’s Joseph Sammut and the PN’s Ryan Callus voted against.

In a statement issued this morning by the Office of the Prime Minister, the government declared its position against the project and objected to the permit.

The government said its position was already reflected in the vote against submitted by Sammut, described as the “Prime Minister’s representative” on the board.

“The government has already asked the Office of the Attorney General to appeal the permit if this is issued,” the OPM said.

Usually, MEPA issues permits allowing works on specific projects for a shorter duration. This time however Freeport was awarded a one-year permit.

“The government does not agree that such a system is changed, and Freeport should not be given an open permit.”

Earlier today, Nationalist MEP Roberta Metsola applauded the stand taken by Birzebbuga local council, objecting to plans to turns the Malta Freeport “in another shipyard”.

Metsola said it was absolutely clear that once again residents were totally against this permit, which would simply create another dockyard in an area close to where a massive LNG floating facility will be berthed in Marsaxlokk.

“It is heartening to see that, unlike what happened in Marsaxlokk, this Council has put residents' interests above partisan gains, is objecting to this idea and has signalled its concern with this coming so soon after the government's insistence on the LNG tanker", Metsola said.

The MEP has also led a petition to the European Parliament on the safety concerns posed by the tanker in Marsaxlokk.

 "Despite the objections, MEPA has once again bowed to pressure and approved a project that runs contrary to the residents' wishes and once again ran roughshod over all opposition,” she added.

Metsola argued that the government had already “badly damaged” its environmental credentials. This latest move, she said, did nothing to restore people's confidence in it.

“This is not about partisan interests… even the Labour-led Local Council is objecting to the idea. We will not abandon the residents of the towns and villages this Government ignores. We will continue to stand with them.”