The Nationalist Party has expressed concern at the government’s decision to ignore calls for consultation on land reclamation on the pretext that it had an electoral mandate.

Parliamentary Secretary Michael Farrugia announced a call for expressions of interest in land reclamation projects, which closes in September.

In a statement, environment spokesman Charlo Bonnici asked why had the government decided to ignore the conclusions of two Mepa commissioned reports, which concluded that land reclamation carried major environmental risks and was not financially viable.

Mr Bonnici asked whether the government had consulted with the diving industry, sea biodiversity experts, environmental groups and the Malta Developers Assiociation.

He said the PN was concerned at the type of consultation the government was implementing.

The government, he said, should be open and transparent in all discussions on land reclamation, especially in view of the existing perception that a Labour government was proposing the project for the benefit of four contractors so that they would be able to build more houses and apartments.