Lobby files complaint with Ombudsman

The committee against the proposed upgrading of the Marsascala waste recycling plant has lodged a complaint with the Ombudsman regarding the Malta Environment and Planning Authority's refusal to release minutes of a public meeting.

The committee insists it needs the minutes for the purposes of an appeal.

During the public meeting in question, Mepa gave the final go ahead to the plant's upgrading. When the committee asked for the minutes, Mepa replied it did not make such minutes available to the public.

The committee has now asked the Ombudsman to look into the matter. It told the Ombudsman that Mepa's refusal to issue the minutes jeopardised the lobby's ability to appeal against Mepa's decision.

In addition, the committee said it felt that Mepa's decision breached the law and ran contrary to the Aarhus Convention, which is precisely meant to give citizens access to environmental information.