Just a sitting but no hearing

John Caruana Galizia, Sliema

I recently attended a hearing before one of the Development Control Commission (DCC) boards at the Mepa offices in Floriana. I am writing this letter to discuss the process, or lack of process, not the specifics of the case being heard.

Before the hearing: Having arrived in good time for the 9.30 a.m. meeting, we were kept waiting in a small, hot hallway for over an hour without explanation or apology. When we were finally let in, the people attending the next scheduled meeting had arrived, so we had to jostle to get into the room and find seats.

During the hearing: The DCC members were seated around a table at one end of the room and were approached by our lawyer and architect with the plans being presented. After a few minutes of discussion, which was inaudible to those seated for the hearing, the case was dismissed and we were told to leave.

As far as I am concerned, this was not a hearing. Those who made the effort to attend the hearing were not involved in any way and were not told the reasons for the cursory, and seemingly arbitrary, dismissal.

Conclusion: The proceedings of this case can be classified as pure farce - a travesty or mockery of what a hearing should be. If this is what the interested public sees of Mepa, then it leaves a very bad impression of the whole of the Mepa organisation.

This is surely one of the first aspects of reform that needs to be attended to by the government. People need to feel that they have been heard and treated justly, not just brushed aside. Mepa and its DCC boards need to be accountable to the people that they serve.

Comments

emanuel bajada (on 30/7/08)

15th January- app 5634/06- Board A-I attended the hearing as an objector- towards the end of the hearing one of the members( the eldest looking -not sure of his name but it was not the chairman, neither the vice and not Mr. Micallef St.John) turns onto the case officer and ask him pointing to the site plan where things are. As far as I know he should have had no idea which is my home and where I live, but still felt to comment in a laudable voice that both me and wife heard him " so he is objecting because this will block his view". Mr. board member I objected because I had all the right to do so. With your comment you have infringed my rights and not taking in consideration my objections and approving you have signed the death certificate of one of the most lovely areas in Gozo which will eventually turn something like Tigne Point.

Amanda Mallia (on 30/7/08)

Well said. So much for a hearing.

Here's another similar case:

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20080724/local/asds

Adrian E. Camilleri (on 30/7/08)

Well done John. Where's the respect?! Prime Minister take note, please.