Munxar manure plant not yet operational – government
The government said yesterday that the Nationalist Party should inform themselves better before inventing stories concerning the proposed slurry disposal plant in Munxar, claiming that the site is not operational as of yet as it has not passed through the relevant planning process.
The Malta Independent on Sunday reported how residents were up in arms as the plant, which will be used for the management and storage of manure, was expected to start operating this week, despite not having the necessary permits.
They also fear that it could be detrimental to the community, since manure would have to pass through the village centre.
The Minister for Gozo and the Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture have failed to reply to questions which were sent last Saturday seeking clarification on the situation on statements made by residents, including that the private operator will be at liberty to charge different rates to different individuals.
The PN later said it was holding the Labour mayor and councillors of Munxar responsible after they refused to initiate legal proceedings to stop a controversial manure clamp from going operational tomorrow.
In a joint statement yesterday, the Ministry for Gozo and Ministry for the Environment said the Opposition was trying to give a false impression that the project is a recycling plant of livestock manure.
It said that all PN Spokesperson for Gozo Chris Said needed to do was to visit the site and see that this is all invented.
“All there is at the moment is private sector interest in the environmental solutions for the amount of slurry generated in the country, in particular, Gozo,” the ministries said.
“Naturally, every project of this type needs to go through an independent planning process and this is why it is obvious that the project has not started since it has not even been processed by the concerned authorities.”
They added that the amount of slurry created in Gozo was higher than the national average and, untreated, the material could damage the environment.
“The private operator is not putting forward proposals for a manure clamp that deposits material on the outside, but is using technology tested around Europe that treats and separates the manure, and returns the solid waste to the herdsman.”