ENVIRONMENT: MALTA LAUNCHES 1MLN EURO PLAN TO PROTECT COASTS
(ANSAmed) - VALLETTA, JUNE 24 - The Malta Maritime Authority
has launched a 1 million euro project to bolster protection of
the sea and Maltese shoreline against possible oil and chemical
pollution.
The project will identify improvements that need to be made
in resources, strategies, personnel and training in order to
respond to oil and chemical spills more effectively, daily Times
of Malta reports.
The MMA collaborates closely with the Civil Protection
Department which is the entity responsible to take the lead in
case of any disaster whether natural or man-made.
The authority said training programmes and drills will
improve readiness for speedy and effective response.
Recommendations will be made for the National Contingency Plan
to be revised and upgraded.
Experts involved in the project are consulting the
stakeholders involved in areas such as tourism, fisheries, ports
and harbours, bunkering and fuel distribution, environmental
protection, electricity and water supply. In a second phase of
the project, which will extend into the middle of next year, new
equipment and materials will be purchased to augment spill
combat inventories.
This project is being carried out with the assistance of
industry experts Alpha Briggs Mediterranean Ltd, which has been
awarded the consultancy contract. It is 80% funded by the EEA
Financial Mechanism (European Economic Area comprising Norway,
Liechtenstein and Iceland). The MMA is funding the remaining
20%. (ANSAmed).
2008-06-24 10:56