UPDATE 3: Melita says it had ministry, council approval to use City Gate

(Adds new Melita statement)

Melita has removed advertising hoarding from City Gate after the Lands Department and MEPA ordered the company to do so within three days. The advertising was put up last week ahead of the launch of the company's mobile telephony service. The Times last Wednesday had asked if the entrance to Malta's historic capital city had become a glorified billboard.

Melita in a statement this morning said it had removed the hoarding out of respect and in good civic spirit in view of certain sensitivities expressed over the last days in sections of the media.

It said it had been engaged in discussions with the Ministry of Finance since November, to make use of countdown clocks which had already been used by the NECC during the Euro changeover process. An agreement has been reached on the use of these clocks and Melita was paying the Ministry and the Valletta Local Council to make use of the clocks and site respectively.

The company said the NECC countdown clock installed at City Gate in 2007 did not require any MEPA permit. Hence, after receiving this identical advice, it followed suit.

Melita said it has an agreement with the Valletta Local Council which allowed it to use City Gate for such purposes. Visuals were given to the Ministry of Finance and Valletta Local Council for their approval, prior to installing structures. Approval was granted by both.

A spokesman for Valletta local council said Melita only had a "no objection" to its plans from the council, since the council had no responsibility over City Gate. The council said it had not received any payment for the hoarding on City Gate.

However, Melita in another statement said it had an agreement with the council, currently being reviewed by the respective legal teams, whereby: Melita is the council's official telecoms partner and the council allows access to Melita to use Valletta for certain purposes, including this.

"Melita's input in this agreement consists of a fixed financial value to service the telecoms needs of the Council. The agreement specifically mentions that "Melita will make use of City Gate for affixing signs with the approval of the council".

Melita said the council was fully aware of project since final visuals were sent prior to installation. The council even granted work permits for works to take place.