Environment Minister Leo Brincat said that his target was to ensure that Wasteserv followed the best EU standards and practices.

He was currently taking stock of the situation at Wasteserv to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the Government’s waste management agency.

Speaking during a visit at the Marsa incinerator this afternoon, Mr Brincat said he wanted to address the issues raised in the National Audit Office’s annual report about 2011.

The report found a lack of transparency and noncompliance with procurement regulations as well as long delays and cost variations on capital projects.

When the report was published, last December, Mr Brincat had called for the resignation of his predecessor George Pulliccino. Mr Brincat has also long been calling for an independent audit into Wasteserv’s operations.

Asked, this afternoon, if he would now carry out the audit, he saidhe had asked Wasteserv management to provide him with information to get the bigger picture.

This data will then be analysed by experts and, if he was not satisfied, he would look into having the audit.

“I must stress. This is not an inquisition… In order to be able to plan for the future we first need the bigger picture…. Government’s aim is to reach the best practices and EU standards,” he said adding that he wanted to restore trust that may have been lost due to political controversies surrounding Wasteserv.

He said he planned to meet Wasteserv employees to listen to their concerns and pledged that the new Labour Government would not be firing employees.