The National Fishing Cooperative lashed out at plans to have a permanent floating gas storage facility at Marsaxlokk harbour as part of the proposed power station plant, saying that whoever deemed the port safe for such a facility had done "a complete mess".

This warning was issued by the head of the cooperative Ray Bugeja, at their headquarters in Marsaxlokk.

But in a statement this evening, the Energy Ministry denied the claims and insisted that the project was safe

Mr Bugeja levelled strong criticism for the government accusing it of no political will to move the sector forward and that is was not delivering its eight pre-election pledges for the fishing sector.

He called on the Prime Minister to heed their grievances or else they would escalate their action. However he declined to specify what action would be taken.

Touching on issues directly related to the fishing industry he said that in spite of all the pledges for change, the same arrogance which prevailed under the previous administration was still prevalent.

Mr Bugeja said so far no progress had been registered to set up a council which would look into their complaints, and that the management of the hard standing facility in Marsaxlokk still left much to be desired.

He added that the scheme to compensate fishermen during the closed season of swordfish, was only humiliating them as each fisherman would only receive some €200 a month. Mr Bugeja said that the scheme was only introduced for political expediency.

Regarding the LNG power station and possible impact to the fishing community, he said that they could not understand how no maritime impact assessment was requested. He said that any experts who might be under estimating the force of nature, would be committing a big mistake as it was very exposed to rough currents from the South East.

He recalled how 40 years ago, a huge storm had dislodged a reef in the area where the FSRU will be moored. Mr Bugeja said that they had not been consulted on the matter. He added that public hearings are just a futile exercise as they have no bearing on the final decision.

He said that priority should be the safety of the residents and that any possible impacts on the fishing industry would be of second priority in relation to the people's lives.

PROJECT IS SAFE - MINISTRY

The Energy Ministry said in a statement this evening it was not true that maritime considerations were not taken in the energy generation with gas project.

Transport Malta, it said, carried out simulation exercises which clearly showed that the Floating Storage Unit would not obstruct big ships entering the Freeport, let alone fishing trawlers.

Moreover, the force of nature was taken into consideration by the experts who carried out all necessary studies. Wave motion studies to see the effect of bad weather in the zone were also carried out.

The ministry insisted that contrary to the impression being given, all necessary studies were being carried out and EU directives and rules, as well as national legislation, were all being followed.

It said it could not understand how it was being stated that the Marsaxlokk harbour was unsafe, when continuous activity was being carried out on site, including the entry of ships carrying aviation fuel on the Has Saptan Dolphin that was anchored on site. This activity had been carried out for more than 50 years.

The ministry insisted that the health and safety of residents was given priority in all phases of the study. The safety of the project was certified by an expert on the risk of such projects, George Papadakis, whose services were repeatedly sought by the European Commission, it said.