The Nationalist Party should inform itslef better before inventing stories concerning the proposed slurry disposal plant in Munxar, , a government statement said. The PN is claiming that the site should not be operational as it has not passed through the relevant planning process.

The Malta Independent on Sunday reported how residents are up in arms bevcause the plant, which will be used for the management and storage of manure, will begin operating despite the detrimental effect it could have on the surrounding community as the only road to the site is through Munxar's centre.

Sources also said that no planning application has yet been filed for a change of use of the area, formerly a cattle farm in Triq Zgħawri, to start functioning as a manure clamp.

The Minister for Gozo and the Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture have since failed to reply to questions which were sent last Saturday that were seeking clarification on the situation following statements that were given to the newsroom by residents, which included claims that the private operator will be at liberty to charge different rates to different individuals.

The Nationalist Party later said it was holding the Labour mayor and councillors of Munxar responsible after they refused to initiate legal proceedings to stop a controversial manure clamp from going operational tomorrow.

A joint statement by the Ministry for Gozo and the Ministry for the Environment issued today said that "the Opposition is trying to give a false impression that the project is a recycling plant of livestock manure. One is waiting for the PN Spokesperson for Gozo (Chris Said) who is aspiring to be the PN Leader to visit the site, and see that this is all invented."

"All they need to do is go to the site, and see that this is all invented."

"All there is at the moment is private sector interest in the environmental solutions for the amount of slurry generated in the country, in particular, Gozo."

"Naturally, every project of this type needs to go through an independent planning process and this is why it is obvious that the project has not started since it has not even been processed by the concerned authorities.

"The reality is that the amount of slurry in Gozo is higher than the national average, and there is no place for the herdsman to dispose of it.

"At the moment, the fact is that there is a long time before it gets treated.

"Untreated slurry on the ground can create serious problems for the water table. The slurry will end up in the sea with huge negative consequences, or we could move it to the drainage plant at the detriment of the Maltese population in general.

"The private operator is not putting forward proposals for a manure clamp, that deposits material on the outside, but is using technology tested around Europe that treats and separates the manure, and returns the solid waste to the herdsman.

"The Opposition should better inform itself before firing at random, the government's job is to follow the development process under the Planning Authority and the technical studies that are taking place, so decisions can be made according to independent and scientific analysis and consultation wherever there is need, and not by playing a partisan game."