Council files protest over Mepa 'delay'

The mayor and executive secretary of the Mtarfa local council yesterday filed a judicial protest against the Malta Environment and Planning Authority holding it responsible for damages suffered due to the "exaggerated delay" in the processing of an application filed by the council to complete road works.

Mtarfa mayor John Camilleri and executive secretary Emanuel Farrugia explained that a deep crack in S. Philip Pullicino Road was dangerous to anyone who used the road and risked causing damage to property in the area. Moreover, the police had taken criminal action against the mayor and the secretary for failing to complete works on the road, which was a danger to people. In the protest they claimed they had filed an application at Mepa on April 29 to carry out the necessary works on the road, which was closed to traffic.

Mepa was carrying out internal consultations as well as consulting other authorities regarding the geology of the area. This, however, did not justify the delay in the processing of the application. This delay was detrimental to the mayor and the secretary since the police had taken action against them and was also detrimental to people who owned property in the area and dangerous to passers-by.

Dr Malcolm Mifsud signed the protest.