In response to statements made by the Momentum Party, the Ministry for Gozo said that the valley rehabilitation works – addressing areas that in some cases had not been cleaned for decades – were carried out through formal and transparent processes.

Momentum said this morning that it had submitted a Freedom of Information request seeking detailed information about cleaning, rehabilitation and other works that have been carried out or are currently being carried out in valleys across Gozo.

In light of the importance of Gozo’s valleys as natural, ecological and rural areas, Momentum said it believes that the public should have access to proper documentation concerning such interventions. Through its FOI request, Momentum is asking for a list of the valleys and locations where works have taken place, together with the dates on which the works started and were completed.

The Party said that the request also seeks copies of technical advice, ecological and environmental studies, and reports prepared before the works commenced, together with the names, qualifications and roles of the experts involved. It is also requesting information on the machinery and methods used, including the type and quantity of material removed and where this material was transported or disposed of.

It explained that the FOI request further asks for reports, surveys, photographs and other documentation showing the condition of the sites before and after the interventions, as well as copies of all relevant permits, authorisations and environmental assessments.

In a statement, the Ministry said that in total, an area exceeding 23,000m² was cleared of vegetation, and over 34,000m³ of waste and debris have been collected to date. ”The use of machinery is essential for removing such vast quantities of waste and debris; it is unreasonable to expect that a volume of this magnitude could be removed manually.”

The Ministry insisted that ”the necessary permits and approvals were obtained from competent authorities – including the Planning Authority and Environment and Resources Authority, among others – while both the contractor and the Project Management Team responsible for monitoring the works were selected following public calls for tenders.”

Permits and public documentation related to the tenders can be consulted via the respective authorities’ official systems. The Gozo Ministry advised that the programme covers Wied il-Kbir, Wied tal-Marga, Wied ta’ Marsalforn (Ta’ Kittina), part of Wied ta’ Xhajma, Wied ta’ Mgarr ix-Xini, Wied tal-Imgarr, and Wied l-Infern.

”These interventions have a clear environmental objective: the removal of invasive alien species that compete with and choke out native flora, thereby creating better conditions for the regeneration of local habitats and biodiversity,” the Gozo Ministry said. ”At the same time, accumulated material obstructing watercourses has been removed to improve rainwater collection and management and to reduce the risk of flooding.”

It concluded by saying that the works ”link the ecological rehabilitation of the valleys with preparations for winter and the protection of agricultural land and surrounding areas.”

Photos: Momentum

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