A group of Taipa residents handed in a petition addressed to Chief Executive Fernando Chui Sai On outside Government House Thursday, expressing their opposition to the government’s plan to replace a small roadside park in Estrada Almirante Marques Esparteiro with a petrol station.
This came two days after about two dozen residents held a sit-in protest in the sitting-out area, located at the foot of Small Taipa Hill near the Regency Hotel Macau.
The petition lists several points as to why the residents are against a petrol station being built at the location, including its proximity to Small Taipa Hill as they worry that the station would affect the surrounding environment.
The petition also says that as the location is near the area where the government allows citizens to set off fireworks during the Lunar New Year holidays, they fear the danger it may cause the public.
The petition points out that there are already five petrol stations in Taipa and argued there is no need to have another one.
In contrast, the park is the only recreational area for residents who live nearby and residents do not want to see it disappear, the petition says.
A government representative was present to receive the petition from the residents. One of them, who preferred to remain anonymous, told reporters that the government never consulted them before approving the petrol station.
She also said that a recent signature campaign in Taipa against the project had collected 552 signatures in two days, adding the residents were ready to stage a demonstration if the government ignores their demands.
Lawmaker Jose Pereira Coutinho, who is helping the residents in their fight against the construction of the petrol station, said that so many signatures being gathered in such a short period of time showed that residents see the project as a very serious problem.
Fellow lawmaker Leong Weng Chai was also present. Both lawmakers are key members of the Macau Civil Servants Association (ATFPM).
No public consultation on the project was held by the government. (macaunews/macaupost)
