Anton Refalo, MLP spokesman for Gozo, said yesterday that the sewage treatment plant planned for Gozo could have had EUR3.7 million in European funds but up to last July only EUR663,516 had been paid.

Dr Refalo quoted Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono saying in parliament that the sewage treatment plant was a Lm3.3 million investment and that the funds allocated would come from pre-accession funds.

Dr Refalo maintained that he had been warning Mrs Debono for over two years about the risk of losing the EU fund funds due for the project because of unnecessary delays.

The Water Services Corporation has now informed the project’s contractors that it has the intention of requesting back the costs incurred because of their delay in finishing the project, Dr Refalo said.

The plant, Dr Refalo said, should have been operational in June, 2005, then in November, 2006, and then at the end of this month.