Although concerted action is essential when it comes to environmental protection, both the Malta Environment and Planning Authority and government officials seem to simply be passing the buck when it comes to dealing with the dire situation at Wied Blandun.
Seeming to know little of what is transpiring, despite the fact that all sections of the media have been referring to the valley’s predicament, spokespeople for different authorities have passed the responsibility on to others, and no one appears willing to shoulder responsibility or take direct action.
Part of Wied Blandun, the only green area in Fgura, which also has some of the country’s worst vehicle pollution levels and asthma rates, has been blanketed in construction waste from a tunnel being excavated by a government contractor that will provide utility services to the SmartCity project.
On its part, the Malta Environment
and Planning Authority said it is investigating the situation to ensure the contractor is adhering to the conditions in the permit, although the situation is over a year old now.
But despite continuous complaints from residents and the Fgura local council, very little is being done. Consequently, the environmental degradation and the ensuing hardships for residents living in the vicinity are growing rather than being controlled or reversed.
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi has repeatedly been quoted as saying that the Malta Environment and Planning Authority reform has environmental protection as one of its main aims due to increased public concern on the subject, yet atrocious acts such as those at Wied Blandun are still taking place, seemingly unchecked and unregulated.
Wied Blandun is listed in the World Database on Protected Areas as an “Area of Ecological Importance/Site of Scientific Importance”. The database forms part of the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Conservation Monitoring Centre.
After a site visit to the valley this week, The Malta Independent on Sunday contacted a number of authorities and government officials about the state of affairs.
In reply to questions sent on Wednesday, Mepa said: “Regarding noise, fumes, gases, dust, steam, odour and vibrations; these should be monitored by the Department of Public Health as per condition II in permit PA7410/06 (covering works on the tunnel). Subject to the permit conditions, the Malta Environment and Planning Authority is investigating to ensure that all conditions are being adhered to.”
The replies were received at 4.30pm on Friday, by which time it was too late to contact the Public Health Department.
It is ironic that a part of this large valley, whe
re new vegetation was observed growing after the October rains, is now practically ruined. The valley provides the only breath of fresh air for the Fgura, Paola and Cospicua area, which often makes the headlines for all the negative reasons – heavy traffic, air pollution and black dust.
In December last year, this newspaper had reported that residents and the Fgura local council had been promised that the project would be completed by that month – December 2009, but they were later told that an extension till June this year had been necessary.
Five months later, the work is still going on, and the situation appears to have gone from bad to worse.
After stories were published in this newspaper, a clean up was carried out but, residents point out, the clean up promised had only been partial in nature.
“The situation is now worse than ever,” Fgura Mayor Byron Camilleri and residents agree.
People bought homes there because it was supposed to be an untouchable valley. However, they are now thinking of moving even though they expect their properties have depreciated in value. Residents say they have tried bringing up the problem at EU level but found the system to be very complicated and did not find much assistance from MEPs.
Mr Camilleri pointed out how the valley could be turned into a family park. In fact, he said he will be exploring the possibility of tapping EU funds for such a project.
Dust generated by excavation work has become even unbearable for the residents of Triq il- Kampanella and others streets close to the valley. A large mound of excavation waste has not been removed and continues to blight what
was once a natural green area. Moreover, the deplorable state of the valley does not deter others from dumping waste there, as several unscrupulous individuals have taken to dumping rubbish in the area.
The site is open and can be accessed by anyone. Although part of it is cordoned off by a gate, access is totally open from other areas of the valley. Children even climb on top of the rubble mounds and the situation has become dangerous.
In a statement issued on 6 November, the Fgura local council said some of the material being dumped is very detrimental to the environment and that some trees have been buried in waste.
The Fgura local council had again informed Mepa on the matter on 27 August and although an acknowledgement was received, no action was taken. The council had urged the authorities to take the necessary action to save “the only green land in Fgura and in the south of Malta”.
On 30 October, the Fgura Local Council organised a clean-up activity in the valley for children and a truck-full of waste, which included syringes, had been collected.
When contacted, a spokesperson for the Resources and Rural Affairs Ministry, which is responsible for the Valley Management Unit, said discussions were ongoing with the local council about Wied Blandun and the unit was to apply for Mepa permits with the idea of including the valley in its programme of cleaning work for next summer.
Since much of the work carried out is quite sensitive, the unit collaborates with Mepa’s Environmental Directorate, which issues method of work guidelines for every individual valley for the unit to follow.
Asked specifically whether the ministry or the unit itself was exerting any form of pressure on Mepa for the dumping of construction material to stop, or for Mepa to see that the mess is cleaned up and the valley rehabilitated, it pointed out that Mepa’s environmental wardens are to look into the matter, especially with regard to illegal dumping. It was also pointed out that local councils too employ environmental wardens.
annaliza@independent.com.mt
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