Architects call for swift solution to Mepa audit office dispute

The Chamber of Architects has urged a quick solution to the impasse that has left the audit office at the Malta Environment and Planning Authority in disarray for the past months, insisting that further delay would "undermine the credibility" of the authority and the government.

Ombudsman Joseph Said Pullicino had intervened in July to resolve the tug-of-war between Mepa and its auditor Joe Falzon over the reappointment of the investigating officer, Carmel Cacopardo.

The matter had been at the centre of a dispute between the chairman and Mr Falzon who has repeatedly threatened to resign if Mr Cacopardo, whose contract expired last April, was not reinstated.

The Ombudsman proposed that the audit office, and similar offices dealing with citizens' rights, such as the Children's Commissioner and the University ombudsman, be serviced by his office. This would mean that Mepa would have nothing to do with the appointment of audit office staff.

However, despite the government's immediate endorsement, the proposal has not been implemented yet. The Ombudsman and the audit officer expressed different during talks on the move, precisely on the appointment of the investigating officer.

The chamber said it was worried that the auditor's office is still not properly functioning, after several months of dispute. "Further protraction of this situation is a disservice to the public and also continues to undermine the credibility of the authority and that of the government," it said.