Labour sheds doubt on Mepa proceedings against Gozo hospital

The transportation of toxic waste carried out by the national waste agency, Wasteserv, from the Gozo general hospital was done illegally, so much so that the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (Mepa) fined the parties involved, Labour MP Leo Brincat said.

Brincat said this unlawful practice was confirmed by a statements issued by the Gozo hospital and Wasteserv. However, the MP insisted that while Wasteserv paid the penalties issued by Mepa for breaching the law, "through the ministry for Gozo, the hospital management contested the penalties up to the beginning of summer."

"When the timeframe to settle the fines expired, Mepa withdrew the Final Settlement Agreement and informed the Gozo hospital that it was going to initiate legal proceedings," Brincat said.

The Labour MP asked whether Mepa has sanctioned such legal proceedings and whether "anyone at Mepa is delaying the process for reasons only known to the person involved."

Brincat also hinted that the Gozo hospital only steeled its payments after Labour issued a statement on this matter yesterday.