The government is refusing to discuss the proposed Maghtab incinerator within the Parliamentary Committee for the Environment and Planning, the PN said in a statement, adding that "like many other projects, this one started on the wrong foot."

"Over the past days it became known that the Environment Impact Assessment, that was completed months ago, was done by someone hired chosen by Wasteserv and we got to know that according to the ERA, that person had a clear conflict of interest," PN Environment Spokesman Robert Cutajar and PN Natural Heritage and Local Government Spokesman Karl Gouder said.

Cutajar asked who will accept political and administrative responsibility for the EIA given that it was null. "This was wasted funds as the incinerator study needs to be redone." He also questioned whether the government timeframes will be kept and if not, who will pay for the delays.

Cutajar also mentioned that the government has the chance to use a system which would mean less agricultural land will be taken up

The PN MPs said that they had asked for this topic to be discussed within the Committee, but Chairman Joe Mizzi is avoiding the discussion by refusing the Opposition's request. The MPs said that Environment Minister Aaron Farrugia remained quiet on the subject.

Gouder said that the government is doing all it can to break the local councils, as no consultation with them is taking place on projects.