Anti-gas-station residents demand CCAC’s probe

The controversial gas station is planned to be built in this recreational area

A group of Taipa residents rallied outside the Commission Against Corruption (CCAC) yesterday, urging the organization to look into a recent dispute over plans to build a gas station in Taipa.
The government plans to build a new gas station near the Regency Hotel, in a recreational area. The group insists that the decision did not get through a public consultation and say that the station would intrude onto a green area.
“We want CCAC to investigate whether there is maladministration or negligence involved in this case,” Ms Tseng, a representative of the residents, told the press yesterday.
They insisted that residents living in the surrounding area should be informed of the project. The group also declared that they had written a letter to the Land, Public Works and Transport Bureau (DSSOPT), which is set to oversee the construction, but had received no reply after waiting a fortnight.
The head of the Urban Planning Department at DSSOPT, Lao Iong, told the media in June that the location of the proposed gas station meets national safety standards. He also reiterated that Taipa’s population is increasing. Therefore, in light of a foreseeable increase in the demand for petrol in the area, building more gas stations there was considered necessary.
“Residents deem that Taipa is not short of a gas station, but [rather] other community facilities. Why did the government choose to build a gas station? There are many [causes for] doubt in this plan,” said Sulu So, member of Macao Conscience, which has assisted the residents in the protest.
So also emphasized that the residents who made protests regarding the LRT NAPE section, having also requested a CCAC investigation, reached a satisfying result. “CCAC submitted reports to the Chief Executive regarding the NAPE section. (…) I hope CCAC can also play a role in this issue,” he stated.
A Facebook page was created in early June, dedicated to the campaign by Taipa residents who are against the new gas station and who want their green garden back.
“We will wait until beginning of next month for CCAC’s response. (…) But if the government starts the construction, we will take further action,” Ms Tseng declared.