Mepa begs to differ on audit office conclusions

The Malta Environment and Planning Authority said yesterday that although its audit office might have the impression that an application for works in Cospicua had received favourable treatment, "what is described as inconclusive evidence cannot be considered as fact".

The regulator was referring to a report by its audit office that was made public by Alternattiva Demokratika on Monday. The report spoke of Mepa's "subservience to government entities".

The report investigated works in connection with a recreational park, and said that according to a complainant these had started even before the application was decided.

Mepa said a statement by the Acting Director of Planning confirmed that works on site were limited to the tidying up and control of loose material.

The audit officer said that although there was an enforcement notice on works being carried out illegally the applicant was not requested to pay a fine.

Asked for its reaction, the regulator agreed that if a fine was due for carrying out works that were being sanctioned by the application in question, this should be issued. However, the spokesman stopped short of specifying whether the works in Cospicua would be continuing.

The audit office proposed that the report is sent to the Office of the Prime Minister for any action he deems fit to take against the applicant and the Director General of the Works Division.

Mepa said the reporting lines open to the audit office according to law could be found in the Development Planning Act.