240 tonnes of scrap removed from the countryside

A task force led by Parliamentary Secretary Chris Said has so far overseen the removal of 240 tonnes of waste from Mellieha during the derelicts on site exercise pilot project.

Moreover, 40 tonnes of waste such as oil drums and glass, which were abandoned in the countryside were also removed.

Dr Said said at a press conference today that the project has so far focused on 32 localities, 26 in Malta and six in Gozo. Local councils were asked to identify problem areas by taking photos and sending site plans of places where big metal objects, like cars, were abandoned in the countryside or the streets. When no action was taken by the owners of the items or the landowners after notices were sent to them, MEPA took action itself. The clearance operations included dumps on private property.

The items are being deposited at licensed scrapyards until they can be shipped for recycling abroad.

Dr Said said the plan is to continue the work in all localities to ensure that within four months, all such eyesores would be removed.