Separating truth from trash

With reference to the gadarene rush by Christopher Ciantar (April 21) to defend the department he represents with regard to the recent debacle relating to the failure to introduce the new packaging waste scheme on time or with the full complement of services, I wish to offer some input into this fiasco.

The Times editorial column condemning and ridiculing this waste management concept - which after all is most commendable and socially responsible - got its complaints mostly spot-on. Dr Ciantar speaks of "inaccuracies and contradictions" which is a statement that accurately applies to his declaration that his office completed their "commitments to the task being honoured on time".

For I repeatedly telephoned the information division of his department requesting information on this Recycle Tuesday initiative and was advised that they would not be ready on time (except Gozo!) due to a variety of reasons, with the prime reason being that the recyclable bags in which the rubbish was to be placed were not yet delivered.

Also when I contacted both Mosta and Mellieħa local councils just a few weeks prior to start date requesting information I was met with blank stares and a complete lack of knowledge on the subject. Perhaps Dr Ciantar should countenance keeping everyone in the loop and on the same page before submitting a definitive date to commence operations - although April 1 does seem apt given the subsequent farcical scenario. Furthermore, the collection - or by whom - of this segregated waste was not arranged prior to announcing the start-up date nor was consultation undertaken with the regular waste collectors to ensure full appraisal of this alternative waste collection programme and thereby effect a smooth transition to avoid the potential for confusion in this collection duplicity.

It would also be interesting to learn from Dr Ciantar when exactly this recycling programme will now commence given that his department "conceded to postpone the date of this packaged waste collection" and given that when I telephoned his office recently I was advised that it would definitely commence two weeks after the proposed start date, i.e. on April 15 instead of April 1.

May I offer a tip (pun intended) for Dr Ciantar when submitting the start date for any new concept: To ensure that absolutely everything is in place and everyone is onboard and fully apprised before committing to such definitive and unequivocal declarations. It is hardly rocket science to suggest such a policy before advising the public of new schemes but yet it palpably fails to be either demonstrated or established in this instance.

Also it is manifestly apparent that economies with the truth are highly evident regarding information emanating from his department if not, I daresay, from himself. For we require - nay demand - clear, concise and transparent information (along with unencumbered access to such) from any government entity, accompanied by an accountable and competent commitment to providing such, otherwise one may be reliably entitled to consider such utterances as trash.