PM to propose stronger enforcement powers for MEPA

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said today that he would be proposing an amendment to the Planning Authority Act to empower the Authority to immediately demolish any illegal building.

Speaking about the MEPA reform in an RTK radio interview, Dr Gonzi added that he would be insisting on consistency in the authority's decision-making process.

He stressed that the government would not tolerate abuse – a theme which, he said, was echoed throughout the budget.

This, he said, was also the case for the water and electricity tariffs which sought to ensure that government did not keep subsidising waste of energy especially given the climate change scenario.

Dr Gonzi said he was still open to hear what the people had to say about the tariffs.

He explained that after an official visit to China at the end of last month he had accepted the request of Chamber of Commerce Vice president Stefano Mallia for further talks on the tariffs – after they had been issued. During the meeting the social partners present explained their situation and the government outlined the challenges it faced. Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association vice-president Winston Zahra came up with a proposal to help spread out the burden and the tariffs were eventually revised.

Dr Gonzi also called on the trade unions who will be protesting against the water and electricity rates tomorrow to understand that the tariffs and budget measures were taken in the interests of the nation.