Minister for Works and Engineering Alex Scott has responded to claims that one of his waste management facilities was repeatedly violating environmental standards by instructing his technical staff to address the issue.

The Royal Gazette reported yesterday how Auditor General Larry Dennis had criticised the Ministry for failing to correct the pollution problem at the site, next to the airport, despite a number of letters and requests.

He said that in 1999 and 2001, the Ministry of the Environment had carried out studies which revealed "serious and persistent" violations of the conditions of the licence.

And he said in 2001 there had been 12 violations recorded, eight of which had been identified in the previous study. Mr. Scott returned to the Island yesterday and immediately responded to the criticisms, which were outlined in Mr. Dennis' annual report for the year 2000/2001.

A statement released by Government Information Services on behalf of Mr. Scott said: "The Minister immediately went on record by declaring that any creditable criticisms of the Ministry's management of the airport waste management facility will be addressed by himself and the ministry.

"However, he hastened to add, that, at first blush, it would appear that individuals had taken licence with their observations and have not been necessarily judicious in the compilation of reports that have addressed aspects of the airport site waste management issues."

Mr. Scott said he would require a more detailed briefing on the whole matter before he gave a more comprehensive response.

However, he said it would appear that correspondence providing a more detailed and accurate portrayal of events at the airport had never found their way into the final report.

The statement added: "The reason, the Minister has been told by his technical staff, is that the Ministry was not informed until the year-end about the supposed violations, and, from a professional point of view, it is a normal courtesy to inform any party of a supposed violation involving their portfolio to ensure the fairness and balance of any subsequent report.

"The Minister concluded by saying that he has instructed his technical staff to take steps to arrange a series of meetings to address the issues at hand."

In his report, Mr. Dennis said the Ministry was "grossly ignoring its operating licence".

He added: "As a result of these violations, oil, chemicals and other pollutants are being released into the environment, and waste is being improperly stored and contained."

And he said the Ministry had responded to the studies in the past, claiming that it was working to solve the problems, but one should realise there was always a cost associated with such ventures.

Mr. Dennis said the issue was complicated because revoking the waste facility's operating licence or closing it down were not practical options because Bermuda's waste had to go somewhere.

And he described one Ministry taking another to court as "somewhat bizarre" and said it was hardly a sensible way to spend the public's money.

He added: "In this case, Government needs to decide whether it is serious about compliance, and complying itself, with the environmental legislation it has enacted."