Opposition environment spokesman Leo Bricat said today that a hazardous waste disposal facility had still not been set up, and the government seemed lost on what to do.

Speaking at a press conference, Mr Brincat said it was shameful that a parliamentary question about the subject which he had asked in February 2009 was only answered in Parliament this week.

But a bigger concern was that the reply showed that the government had nor real plans how to dispose of hazardous waste.

Mr Brincat pointed out that such a facility was to have been set up at Maghtab but, according to the reply given by the prime minister, the government was still conducting studies and drawing up plans.

The impression one got, Mr Brincat said, was that the government was trying to hide its failures.

In the meantime, he said, hazardous waste was still being stored at Maghtab. He asked what controls and safety measures were being taken and when this issue would be resolved.

Mr Brincat also referred to recent comments in a radio interview by the chairman of Wastserv

He said that flyash from the Marsa incinerator, which has been exported, had high levels of heavy metal.

Mr Brincat asked for clarification of what may have caused this higher level of metal and whether it posed a risk to neighbours or even the abattoir next door.

GOVERNMENT REACTION

In a reaction, the Secretariat for tourism the environment and culture said the government was taking measures for all hazardous waste to be processed.

Over the past few year centres had been set up at Luqa, Ghallis, Hal Far, Mriehel and Xewkija to receive bulky and hazardous domestic waste such as used car oil, medicines, electronic waste, batteries, paint tins and asbestos.

Hazardous waste was also being treated at the incinerator in Marsa, whose emissions, the secretariat stressed, were clean and safe.

The government was planning to develop a hazardous waste storage and treatment centre at Ghallis to complement the hazardous landfill developed in 2005.

The secretariat said that no toxic waste is kept at Maghtab.

The flyash produced at the Marsa incinerator is the end product of a process to treat emissions, thus ensuring that all emissions are safe.

The secretariat also recalled investment made in wasge management over the years including the closure of the Maghtab dump and the treatment of liquid waste before disposal in the sea.T he government had also set up the waste recycling plan, the incinerator and bring-in sites.