Nadur Nadif and Ghawdix, two Gozitan NGOs, are calling on the relevant authorities “to address and resolve the ongoing situation at an Ghajnsielem illegal dumping site.”

In a joint statement, the NGOs said that prompt action was taken by reporting an incident of illegal dumping on public land to EcoGozo.

“Shockingly, despite the timely reporting, the situation persists as of the 14th of December, with the waste heap visibly increasing in size,” the NGOs said.

They noted however that now, “compounding this issue, recent rainfall has further aggravated the situation, causing a portion of the waste to cascade down into the adjacent valley.”

They went on to say that “as dedicated volunteers committed to environmental preservation, the prolonged existence of this environmental violation leaves us feeling disheartened and somewhat powerless in the face of this ongoing challenge.”

“We earnestly implore the relevant authorities to address and resolve the ongoing situation at the reported illegal dumping site,” the NGOs said.

They highlighted that over the years, the government has undertaken numerous initiatives to curb the illegal dumping of waste.

These efforts include the establishment of the agency Clean Malta, accompanied by its media campaign featuring the CleanMalta app and 1718 telephone facility, which has significantly assisted citizens in reporting instances of illegal waste dumping, the NGOs said.

The also said that recently the Tourism Ministry announced an investment of €5.2 million in technological and environmental equipment, aiming to significantly enhance the efficiency of Clean Malta’s operations.

The NGOs said that “after meeting with Clean Malta and EcoGozo, it came to our attention that the Clean Malta app is operational in Gozo as well, although there has been a notable absence of any corresponding media campaigns.”

Nadur Nadif and Ghawdix underlined the importance of extending national campaigns to encompass Gozo, ensuring that the concerted efforts to combat illegal waste disposal are not confined solely to Malta but are equally vigilant in safeguarding the environmental integrity of Gozo.

“We cannot stress enough our appeal to the general public to act responsibly and to make use of the available free services and facilities for waste disposal,” they said.

Photos: Nadur Nadif and Ghawdix

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