Police asked to probe 'illegal dumping'

A firm belonging to a leading developer could face court action over the alleged dumping of construction waste at sea.

The Malta Environment and Planning Authority wrote to the police yesterday asking them to investigate "illegal activities" taking place at Birzebbuga.

Alternattiva Demokratika, which was among the first to alert Mepa to the activity, said the trucks in question carry the logo of a subsidiary of the Polidano Group.

Last week, Mepa's environment protection inspectorate office received a number of reports that trucks were entering the Freeport area carrying excavation and construction waste and emptying their load onto a barge. According to the reports, the loads were then dumped in the sea.

After verifying what was taking place and confirming that the activity was not covered by a valid permit, Mepa inspectors put a stop to it.

However, last week the authority received further reports that the dumping had resumed, Mepa marketing executive Peter Gingell said.

It immediately contacted the Freeport architect who gave his assurance that no trucks carrying construction waste will be permitted to enter the Freeport until the necessary permits are obtained. To date, no further "illegal dumping" has been reported, he said.

"Once the full investigation is concluded, the authority will be in a position to evaluate the environmental damage that has been caused and proceed with any action it deems fit through the Environment Protection Act."

Mepa said it was monitoring the situation closely and will step up its actions should it receive further evidence of a repeat offence.

But AD's spokesman for the environment, Mark Causon, accused Mepa of dragging its feet before taking action. "This is a case of relapsing - major developers should have no protection," he charged.

The Mepa spokesman said all rubble is meant to be dumped, at a cost, at identified quarries sanctioned by Wasteserv. The quarries, however, are known to be filling up fast.