Wasteserv have learnt nothing from the Auditor General’s investigation, PL candidate Leo Brincat argued.

Whilst reports reveal a lack of agreement between MEPA regulators and Wasteserv, regarding the figures being submitted to the regulator periodically, does not mean than that there wasn’t any Ministerial pressure to hide certain discrepancies.

The MEPA webpage which includes all waste permitted facilities has been empty for quite some time, Leo Brincat argued, “this does exclude the possibility of recent cases where Wasteserv have turned a blind eye to exporting hazardous waste to India labeled as Green listed non hazardous waste”.

It also doesn't exclude that Wasteserv could have known about all this as it results in reduced operational costs, considering hazardous waste costs more to export the PL candidate accused. This further strengthens the PL’s resolve and commitment to have a serious and independent technical investigation into the operation of the company, he concluded.

Wasteserv reaction

Wasteserv have rejected claims of controversy regarding numbers that it reports to the regulator.

Discussions between MEPA and Wasteserv regarding the verification of numbers as well as when and how to report figures occurs regularly Wasteserv have announced, in order for Malta to be in the same position to report measurements as other European countries.

The company's efforts in the field of treatment of electronic waste are ongoing, as is clear from a number of contracts which have been awarded in recent years the company argued. In 2012 over 750 tonnes of electronic waste were treated.

Regarding the Auditor General’s investigation, Wasteserv stated that it has always provided the necessary information requested, adding that it is not true that the company didn’t take action where it was needed. Wasteserv claimed that it had implemented a number of measures which were recommended by the Auditor General in order to better its operations. The company said that it is privately audited throughout the year, and the company's audited accounts are published by the Malta Financial Services Authority.