The cost of fast-tracking projects

The Federation of Industry's deputy president Helga Ellul said that the fast-tracking of procedures for SmartCity should not be a one-off but should be the standard in all cases (May 24).

It is evident that Ms Ellul is unaware of the fact that the European Commission is investigating whether the amendments to the Grand Harbour Local Plan, which paved the way for the subsequent approval of the Smart-City project, is in breach of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Directive. This information was published in the local press in December 2006.

Removing unnecessary bureaucracy, yes. But not at the expense of infringing EU rules and wasting taxpayers' money in fines.

Let us not forget that the SmartCity project has also forced the relocation of the Malta south sewage treatment plant, with the result that the sewage mains have to be redirected at huge expense. More worrying is the fact that the relocation may result in Malta facing yet more EU fines for the delays incurred in implementing the EU Urban Wastewater Directive.

Let's hope that when all is taken into account, the golden egg is worth the goose.