Flaunted criteria faulted

For the third time running, and this time in Parliament, Environment Minister George Pullicino flaunted the "criteria" behind the rationalisation (sic) of boundaries, declaring that nobody found any fault with them.

Lest we will again be labelled mentally inept, may I remind the minister that at the meeting which he held with NGOs at the Ministry for Rural Affairs and the Environment on May 15, during which he introduced the scheme and the criteria, Lino Bugeja and I, as representatives of the Ramblers' Association, at once criticised the criteria as flippant and, in the presence of others, remarked to the minister as follows, (quoted verbatim from the minutes of that meeting and since then published on the association's website www.ramblersmalta.jointcomms.com):

"Firstly, it was thought that other remedies were surely obtainable for the correction of anomalies and injustices. It was considered injudicious that as a general rule the solution for this old problem was found in taking away more of the scarce open land rather than substitute for unused property within existing confines.

"On the second count, it was thought sensible to fill inordinate pockets in between developed areas and rationalise accordingly. On the other hand, it was rejected as capriciously offensive to yield to pressure from individuals who called for their land on the periphery to be included in the development zones. This was considered unfair on all others who abided by the law, and heavily biased on the side of them who do not accept rules and regulations but have the cheek to ask for favours. It defeats the very purpose for which Mepa was created and encourages clientelism. It will also create new peripheries that will bring in newcomers with the same call.

"Thirdly, the Ram delegates have no doubt that with the additional government land being put on the market there is hardly any chance of influencing price on the property market. While there may be minimal revenue to the Exchequer and some relief to social housing, the cost in environment terms will be exorbitant."

Moreover, in its letter of objection to Mepa dated June 23, 2006, copied to the minister on the same day, the association said:

"The association declares itself wholeheartedly against the proposed extensions not only on account of their considerable proportion but especially on account of the criteria which lack transparency, justice, rationale - virtues that were claimed basic by the minister himself."

In the association's humble opinion, Mr Pullicino continues to betray downright insensitivity, even to all widespread expressions of discord with his and his Cabinet colleagues' unilateral scheme to redefine development boundaries. Indeed, in bulldoze mode, reminiscent of the destructive exploitation that the equipment has already been allowed to effect on the local natural and cultural heritage, the minister lays to waste the goodwill and sound advice of practically all constituted bodies as he harps away, in Nero's fashion, the very virtues found lacking in the scheme.

Mr Vella is secretary of the Ramblers Association of Malta.