(Adds PN's statement)

The works carried out at the San Blas beach in Gozo were intended to clean the bay from the algae which was washed ashore in a recent storm, the Gozo Ministry said.

Last week, the planning authority said it was investigating the removal of algae from the beach following complaints that Gozo Ministry personnel used a mechanical shovel that also scooped up sand and stones.

The ministry said in a statement today that it cleaned up the pay for it to be enjoyed by Maltese and foreigners who visited the islands. It said it was now coordinating the continuation of the works with the authority.

It said that all the work carried out at Ramla l-Hamra had the required Mepa permits and was in line with what had been done in previous years. The work was also supported by Gaia Foundation.

Gozo Ministry should be held responsible - PN

In a statement, PN spokesmen Charlo Bonnici and Ryan Callus said the Gozo Ministry should be held responsible for the environmental damage being caused in Gozo.

They said that the ministry took the decision to use heavy machinery for the clean up without seeking Mepa’s authorisation and now that it was caught out, it said it would be coordinating the works with the authority. This showed the government’s disrespect towards the country’s institutions.

The spokesmen noted this was the second time that the Labour government was caught environmentally damaging beaches in Gozo after heavy machinery was also used to clean Ramla Bay some weeks ago.

It was condemnable that the government was trying to cover its mistakes by hiding behind a non-governmental environmental organisation and the Gozo Ministry should be held responsible for the environmental damages taking place in Gozo, they said.