Mepa 03905/03

I refer to my letter Happy Birthday Mepa 03905/03 (July 27) and to a subsequent reply, Awaiting Permit, by Joe Azzopardi.

I thank the communications coordinator of the Ministry for Justice and Home Affairs for clearing any misconceptions that could have arisen due to my letter. I can confirm that the delay, this time, is not due in any way to the lack of response of the Estate Management Department.

However, it was this department that initially delayed my Malta Environment and Planning Authority application. In fact I sent: a letter on February 7, 2003, a letter on March 5, 2003, a letter on May 20, 2003 and a letter on June 5, 2003 to the department regarding the premises in question. All were acknowledged but none were replied to.

It was finally through the intervention of Mario Tabone, then responsible for the government's Nistà Naqdik website, that a meeting was organised on June 11, 2003 between architect Michael Schembri from the Estate Management Department and myself where the correct procedure was explained to me.

Still, I am glad that Mr Azzopardi saw fit to defend the department in terms of delays.

I will definitely look forward to a prompt service from the department if and when a positive response to Mepa 03905/03 is finally received.