Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1339768
THE environment is one of those sec- tors in which the Labour government has failed miserably. Over the past 8 years, the government did not manage to strike a sustainable balance between the envi- ronment and the required planning and development. Lack of decisions or com- pletely wrong ones resulted in a complete environmental fiasco in what regard both the irreparable damage caused and the in- ability to reach the targets set by the same government. Unfortunately, the main offenders are various government entities, funded from the public coffers, which blatantly disregard the environment. For instance, for both Infrastructure Malta and Amb- jent Malta, the butchering of trees is the order of the day. This is just one exam- ple of how irresponsible the Labour gov- ernment is towards the environment. The government is not only lacking in enforcement but does not care to follow the rules related to the environment. Poor waste management slammed by the Auditor General The latest episode in a series of envi- ronmental failures was highlighted by the Auditor General (NAO) in a report which outlined what the government, in conjunction with the Wasteserv and ERA administrations, has been trying to hide throughout these last years. This report shows that the National- ist Opposition was right and confirmed what the EU said in a warning report is- sued to Malta about waste management in 2018. Unfortunately, the Maltese pop- ulation must fork out the money to pay for the crass incompetence of this gov- ernment. The NAO report confirms that while the Maltese people are doing their share when it comes to waste separation, the Labour Government is not capable to fulfil its obligations and thus our coun- try is not managing to reach both na- tional and European targets related waste management particularly man- agement and separation of plastic waste. This means that we are in breach of the EU directives related to waste manage- ment. Moreover, how can the Labour government convince us that the plans for 2021-2030 are realistic when in the period 2014 -2020 it was not capable of reaching those targets set by the same government. While the Labour govern- ment is using public funds to boast of the investment of half a billion euros in the 'Long term waste management plan 2021-2030', we would certainly be more appreciative should the government ex- plain in detail the various competenc- es and resources it has to tackle all the waste management challenges we will be facing in the coming 10 years. This plan contains several anomalies and unreal- istic time frames, of which the Minister was made aware. The mystery behind arson incidents at Sant Antnin Plant and other facilities Another negative legacy which this government will be remembered for is related to the burning of three waste management facilities over the last sev- en years. We are still not informed about how the Sant Antnin Plant caught fire and who was responsible. Why is the government is keeping these reports closely guarded? The mentioned NAO report indicated another lie which the Labour govern- ment has been repeating for years – that the country was still carrying out recy- cling of waste even though Sant' Antnin Plant was not functioning. The NAO report shows otherwise. One must not forget that this government chose to lit- erally waste millions euro received from the EU for the setting up of the plant. Choosing the Maghtab location – a politically vitiated decision It is now clearer than ever, that deci- sion to choose Magħtab to build the in- cinerator, was a politically vitiated one. The government has pronounced itself about the choice of this location before the studies about the area were conclud- ed. Such actions go against EU directives too. Also in this case, the Nationalist Op- position is asking the government to publish all those studies related to the chosen site. What is hindering the gov- ernment from publishing the recom- mendations of the experts together with the Strategic Environmental Assessment as per the EU directives and then allow for public scrutiny? The haphazard choice of this site shows that the Labour government is not ready to consider the interests of the farmers and residents of the area. It is also very reluctant to consider a petition which was signed by thousands of people and which I have presented in Parliament on behalf of the residents and farmers of the area. As the Opposition, we cannot renounce our obligation to protect and support those who are practically forgot- ten by this government. Natura 2000 sites for the enjoyment of the Maltese families It is high time that the Labour Govern- ment stops talking and starts acting in what regard the access to protected ar- eas and heritage trails. The government is duty bound to ensure a safe access to these zones such as the Natura 2000 sites and market them to promote the niche of environment tourism. The National- ist Opposition will remain consistent in its constant request for all these sites to be accessible always unlike the latest ep- isode related to lack of access to Fomm ir Riħ. This incident showed how the gov- ernment is panicking, realising that the Maltese citizens cannot take this lack of enforcement and poor government commitment any longer. It seems that the government has just woken up from deep sleep and is reiterating what the Nationalist Opposition has been saying about the need for more open recrea- tional spaces for our families to enjoy. The government has allowed the taking away of many parcels of public land. No matter which trump card relat- ed to the environment the government decides to use in the coming general election, it will not erase the memory of the complete disaster we have been experiencing in the last years. The Mal- tese population and the environmental NGOs will not forget the irresponsible way the Labour government has treated the environment. Following my recent appointment of shadow minister for the environment and climate change by Dr Bernard Grech, I will continue criticising the government whenever it is necessary but also come up with suggestions to improve the environment we live in for the common good of present and future generations. For the Nationalist opposition the en- vironment is one of the main pillars on which our future society should be based. 14 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 14 FEBRUARY 2021 OPINION Only the PN can truly stand up for the environment Robert Cutajar is Nationalist Whip and spokesperson for the environment and climate change Robert Cutajar The Ghadira Nature Reserve is a fully protected bird sanctuary within the EU Natura 2000 network