Monday, 15th September 2008 - 13:55CET

Naxxar blast victims still awaiting permits to rebuild

The Labour Party has urged MEPA to speed up the granting of permits so that those people whose houses were demolished in the Naxxar fireworks explosion could rebuild their homes.

In a statement, the party expressed its concern that the permits had not been issued yet.

"This matter must be given the importance it deserves because this is a genuine case and there is a social need to ease the suffering and inconvenience being suffered by these people," the party said.

It said that while the legal provisions should be respected, all unnecessary red tape should be removed.

Three houses were demolished and others were made uninhabitable by the blast which killed two people in mid-March.

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Comments

J Farr (on 16/9/08)

J Cachia is right I have to admit. Viewing MEPA's website only one application has been submitted for reconstruction. and this has been approved some days ago. So while I still query MEPA's insensitivity, I ask MLP for whom are you working? For the national interest or for partisan interests? So to say to score some political points. Is the owner of the house some red boy of yours? Why did the MLP speak out today when they KNOW that the permit has been approves some two days ago? What's the reason for your statement? To continue this 'battle' against MEPA? I only see one reason: OPPORTUNISM by the MLP.

P Muscat (on 15/9/08)

@ M Fenech - Insurance Companies have done their job appropriately, promptly and in silence. So much for your information.

apgrech (on 15/9/08)

Besides proving their inefficiency, MEPA has now proven that they are heartless.

Such permits should jump the queue and given top priority.

L Galea (on 15/9/08)

That's how much MEPA is efficient when it comes to small fry when compared with MEPA when it is dealing with sharks.

Byron Camilleri (on 15/9/08)

Some things never change.

J Oatmon (on 15/9/08)

One of the problems is MEPA is not getting through its caseload quickly enough - this is an obvious fact.

The way to fix it is hire more people to do the work - if you have to pay more to get the people you need, just increase the fees charged by MEPA to developers.

It is a no brainer to fix the delays at least - to instill integrity into all levels of MEPA, and clear out suspected corruption make take longer!

L. Coleiro (on 15/9/08)

This is a prime example of how MEPA is functioning to perfection under the wing of our do it all PM.

Dear Dr. Gonzi where are you when the people really need you?? What about your responsibilities and duties to the Maltese and Gozitans.

It is already too late Dr. Gonzi..... you left these people homeless since March..... Yes YOU left them homeless because it was you who chose to take MEPA under your direct control. These permits should have been issued at most a week after the disaster!!!!

Dr. Gonzi the people are waiting for you to do something!!!!

carmen debattista (on 15/9/08)

What is keeping MEPA to grant permits for those families? Weren!t there houses before or was it a field that blew up! Does anybody care out there? Everything takes too long here in this tiny island to get moving. Flimkien Kollox Possibli!!!!

A Daley (on 15/9/08)

Looks like things are really a changing at MEPA

Then again, it is in the hands of Gonzi, so just like the economy and Govt. finances, it will surely turn out to be a bigger disaster then what it originally started with!

M. Fenech (on 15/9/08)

... don't think they are going to re-build their houses out-of-the-ODZ!!! Is the inquiry still on? Are insurance companies blocking the works? What is holding everyone from action?

Sounds like MLP is on the upbeat again .... !! GONZIPN ... watch out!!! This is reaching dramatic levels ... i pity these families!!! :((

J. Cachia (on 15/9/08)

According to the MEPA website, only one application has been submitted on the site. This is application number 02940/08, that was submitted on the 11th June 2008, validated on the 22nd July 2008 and approved on Tuesday 9th September 2008. No other applications after this unfortunate incident have been submitted. I do not understand which permits the Labour party is referring to.

Charles Micallef (on 15/9/08)

This will certainly be one case that nobody will object to, if Mepa uses its influence and fast track this application................Go on Mepa, these people have suffered more than enough!

I.Bartolo (on 15/9/08)

unbelievable !! ..........I can't understand what's the reason to take it this long.

J Farr (on 15/9/08)

It's incredulous. It had to be the MLP to urge MEPA to do its duty towards victims of crime! Where is the Minister of works? Is he on holidays? Where is the PM?? Why has it it be the MLP to question this MEPA Abuse? Does the case officer responsible has a home of his own? So what's keeping him or them from issuing this much needed permit so that these victims of crime will have justice done to them and at a very fast speed? Answers please.

Maria Gauci (on 15/9/08)

Yet another case of our ridiculous MEPA!

Stephen Farrugia (on 15/9/08)

This story is a growing national disgrace, from A to Z.

Naxxar blast victims still awaiting permits to rebuild

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