Azzjoni Nazzjonali’s deputy leader Anglu Xuereb had shown interest in the re-modernisation of Sant’ Antnin recycling plant, MaltaToday can reveal. The far right movement captained by the fiery former Nationalist MP Josie Muscat has vehemently opposed the Sant’ Antnin plant.
The opposition to the plant has in fact served as Muscat’s springboard for his return to politics in Marsascala, who was quick to capitalise on the popular protests and mass discontentment in his locality.
But his colleague and construction and hotelier magnate, Xuereb, tendered for the lucrative Sant Antin re-modernisation project in 2001, a fact which Muscat says he was unaware of until yesterday.
At the time, the government had planned to transfer all waste management to the Marsascala site, until it later changed its strategy and moved to the landfill next to the old Maghtab site. Xuereb’s proposal had also included the setting up of a traditional landfill in the area.
In a comment to MaltaToday, Muscat said he did not know Xuereb had tendered for the project. But he added: “Today the deputy leader is in favour of this party and, after all, the technology that the government is using at the plant is outdated.”
He added that the plant was built despite being against the wish of 95% of Marsascala residents.
Xuereb yesterday said he had changed his ideas about the plant and was now foursquare behind Muscat’s opposition. He added he would resign from his position as Chairman of AX Holdings if elected.