Mistra development: MTA to review procedures
The Malta Tourism Authority said today that it will review its procedures in the wake of the Mepa auditor's report into the proposed Mistra development.
It also stressed that it was unaware that Mr George Micallef, who drew up a report on proposed development in Mistra on its behalf, was also a consultant to the developer.
In its statement the MTA said:
"It has been standard practice for a number of years for potential tourism establishment development applications submitted to MEPA to be referred to the Malta Tourism Authority by MEPA, for the MTA's views and comments. The MTA's replies are based on considerations related to MTA policies on tourism product needs and requirements. These are standard operating procedures and such applications are dealt with routinely by the MTA's Product directorate.
"In the case in question, the MTA report was drawn up by Mr George Micallef, then Consultant to the Chairman of MTA on Product Development.
"At no stage was the application or report referred to the MTA Chairman or the Board members. It does not result that the MTA was aware that Mr George Micallef was also the consultant of the applicant for the said Mistra Bay development project. Upon publication of the MEPA auditor's report on the 17 March 2008, Mr George Micallef resigned from his positions with MTA with immediate effect which resignation was accepted by MTA.
"The MTA will be conducting a complete review of procedures when processing such applications, in a determined effort to ensure that the Authority will continue to carry out its responsibilities in the most transparent manner possible, above any and all reproach. Moreover MTA shall await the outcome of the Police investigations to determine whether any further action is warranted. "
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16 Comments
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R Spiteri
Mar 22nd 2008, 14:47
I simply cannot understand how and why some of PN supporters (if they really are after all!!!) are defending JPO when he was about to be the culprit for us to lose the election. I believe that we elected a government including JPO among its members, with Dr. Gonzi himself being unaware of what the true situation was regarding JPO. I am pretty sure that the reason why Dr. Gonzi proceeded further & insisted for investigation is for Malta to be governed by a clean government, with clean members representing us in cabinet, who after all are receiving their salaries from our own pockets to defend the citizens' interests NOT theirs. So Dr. Pullicino Orlando, let PN remain a clean party and, yes, please resign!
T. Micallef
Mar 22nd 2008, 09:38
Somebody needs to comment about what this halt to MEPA is costing the business community, and indeed private individuals too. I don't understand why routine permits cannot be processed as usual. There are people who have thousands tied up in bank loans or rent agreements who are awaiting basic permits. Yes, I know that we should all be patient for the common good but some people simply can't afford to. 3 months to get a basic permit is and always was an unacceptable amount of time to wait!
angelo agius
Mar 21st 2008, 14:35
Can those faces who appeared on those billboards against hunting now please appear agian on this case or only illegal hunting is that ruins the natural habitat and make harm to the tourisim industry
Ralph Attard
Mar 21st 2008, 03:48
Andrew, your tuppence rings a bell or two, ringing out from Mile End I dare say!
It would be far more becoming of us as a mature nation to await the final police investigations to be made public, at which point you may fill the comments pages till you reach the bottom of the Internet, if you imagine that to be possible. Until then, maybe you’d like to ponder as to how Labour lost a 3rd consecutive General Election (not to mention the Referendum), giving a thought or two to your own three lines, perhaps!
Simon Mizzi
Mar 21st 2008, 01:48
Every member of parliament should carry the responsibility to represent his constituents not his interests. And should do so with dignity and not with such an untenable position. Hope you get my point and your stand goes on to explain the void mentality that if you are an elected member of parliament it gives you a free get-out-of-jail card which would be completely unjust. All people who hold office should be kept alert by the many checks and balances that the prime minister rightly set into motion, following what seem to be a set of strong allegations. For the first time I feel that my country is shedding its pariah robes.
Byron Camilleri
Mar 21st 2008, 01:05
I believe we live in a great country but this kind of situations makes my blood boil! Let's hope that EVERYONE pay for his actions.
r pace
Mar 20th 2008, 23:28
JPO said that he will comment after the Police report is ready. Why can't anybody wait for this report to be finalised and presented to the PM? As far as i know, and i am not defending JPO - (who i am sure can defend himself) JPO was not mentioned in doing anything wrong in the MEPA report! Maltese law states that a person is innocent until proven guilty by a court of law, but here we are - JPO has already been found guilty by armchair writers!
andrew borg-cardona
Mar 20th 2008, 22:52
Oi, MLP elves, will you finally get the message? It's the PN in Government and they'll deal with this. Deal with it.
Andrew Sciberras
Mar 20th 2008, 22:38
Don't worry M. Micallef. It really is quite simple to understand. It's like when products change their wrappers, giving the impression they are new and improved. They even write as much on the package. Actually the product remains the same... you only end up paying a little more for it.
John Azzopaardi
Mar 20th 2008, 22:16
JPO would do wrong to resign. The voters have selected him to represent them in parliament. He should carry that responsibility now and not abandon it.
C Grech
Mar 20th 2008, 21:33
So that's it!!!!
Can we all have some kind of reaction from JPO please !!!!
Joe Martinelli
Mar 20th 2008, 20:20
It is astounding how many are biting their nails anxious to find out the outcome of the Mistra debacle!
The pieces of the puzzle are taking their respective slots but the anchor piece is still not available.
The Police report is the final piece of this puzzle and until it is produced no one can determine JPO's position. With the PM being away until March 25th, it is highly unlikely that the Commissioner of Police will release any information until then. After all, it was the Prime Minister who ordered the investigation first, before Dr. Sant did. It therefore follows that whoever ordered it first should be the first to see the results.
So, until then, let's all relax and find some other topic to write about.
D. Zammit
Mar 20th 2008, 20:12
A few points to ponder on.
1. Would have the Mistra Valley scandal been made public if it were not for the MLP?
2. Would have the MTA consultant resigned as a result or would he have continued in his cushy job?
3. Why did Gonzi declare that he would take MEPA under his wings a few weeks prior to the Mistra scandal, was he expecting it?
4. If yes for Q3 why did he wait for after the election to take action?
5. Does anyone out there really believe that JPO knew absolutely nothing about the application?
6. How money people are OK with JPO being paid from the taxpayer's money to remain a member of parliament?
Nicholas Attard
Mar 20th 2008, 19:49
JPO, for the sake of those who believe in and voted PN like I did PLEASE RESIGN IMMEDIATELY!
John J Schranz
Mar 20th 2008, 19:46
Mr Micallef – Are you utterly unable to understand that the Maltese community across the parties divide voted for (1) a stability that cannot be foolishly played about with AND (2) the changing of procedures WITHIN THAT stability?
Moreover, if you cannot understand procedures being reviewed you must either be
(a) so old as to only have a long-term memory functioning, which would make you believe we are still living in times when reviewing policies and procedures was an absolute anathema, in times when, once an edict was pronounced, then all had to bow their heads, or else you are
(b) so young that you remember NEITHER the sweeping reviews that have been the order of the day over these last say 20 years, NOR those desperate times when the country pleaded, on bended knees, for reviews in the most crucial policies - but no ear listened.
May this country keep learning how to continually keep reviewing and renewing itself. It is learning to do it, thank God, judging by the way in which responsible persons across party landscapes are speaking. There seems to be a new-found sense of the indivisible closeness of our small community finally coming to the fore, and that is what politics and policies are all about, anyway. Let us keep hoping small minds will fail to nip this nascent unity in the bud, which is the risk that the grinning and gleeful emptiness of small-mindedness might bring in its wake.
M Micallef
Mar 20th 2008, 18:20
All departments are reviewing procedures etc ... an acknowldgement of failure... but JPO continues to be a happy MP under PN's banner. I seriously don't understand this country!!