Action taken on all identified irregularities

A status report just drawn up by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority on the legality - or otherwise - of quarries in Siggiewi shows that enforcement action had been taken on all identified irregularities within existing licensed quarries.

The report said that most of the enforcement action had been taken by the authority long before the Ombudsman's report, although other action had been taken since.

The parliamentary secretary responsible for the environment, George Pullicino, who had personally requested the report, said that 38 enforcement notices had been issued.

Mr Pullicino said one should acknowledge the authority's incessant hard work and efforts in regulating this industry over the years. Procedures had definitely improved but this did not mean that the MEPA could rest on its laurels and not persist in ensuring that all policies were adhered to, he said.

The report noted that most of the quarries in this area operated under the pre-1992 system, meaning they only required a police licence. However, they do need to conform with a number of standard conditions specified by the Minerals Subject Plan.

Mr Pullicino said he has also been informed that in view of a recent ombudsman's report on the infringements, the authority was currently "assessing the resources required to deal with the quarrying industry in a more effective manner".

He said even the Ombudsman had stated that the MEPA had dealt with infringements.

"The conclusions reached by the Ombudsman with respect to the complaints raised by the former mayor of Siggiewi against the authority contradicts claims that the MEPA was inefficient in dealing with infringements related to quarrying.

"In fact, the Ombudsman's report concludes that 'from an analysis of the facts and merits of the case the (Siggiewi) local council's claims that the authority is not fulfilling its obligations, by not enforcing its own policies regarding Gebel Ciantar and Ta' Bellula quarries, cannot be upheld.'"