Negligent contractors should be held liable, FAA insists

It was unacceptable that the Malta Environment and Planning Authority had no remit to intervene in cases where contractors were found to be liable for damaging neighbouring properties, according to Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar.

The environmental lobby group said similarly the Occupational Health and Safety Authority insisted that it was only responsible for accidents at the place of work. FAA was referring to the incident in St Paul's Bay where a ceiling caved in, seriously injuring a woman and causing slight injuries to her husband. The property next door was demolished recently and excavation works started.

FAA said the authorities had recently taken laudable initiatives in sectors such as heritage protection. It questioned why they had been so negligent in their responsibility to protect residents' rights.

When the new construction site regulations were issued, these included the developers' obligation to deposit a sum as a guarantee to cover damage to pavements but no steps to protect neighbours, FAA added.

The fact that residents' rights were a question of justice, rather than the environment, was no excuse for inaction.

People had a right to receive speedy compensation for any damage they suffered and to live safely and at peace in their own homes, FAA insisted.