NGOs request PM's intervention to stop Bahrija valley development

Joseph Arpa

Jun 12th 2009, 07:59

This my friends is a clear example of how GONZI PN works. We were promised swift action on MEPA before the general election, but to date this has not happened and MEPA's outrageous decisions continue. I honestly believed that Dr Gonzi was gonna grab this bull by the horns as soon as he was re elected last year.
This Dr Gonzo is why so many PN supporters did not vot PN, or did not vot at all last week. Then you see PN President Victor Scerri on TV looking like a confused lamb being attacked, he was almost gonna due a JPO and CRY A RIVER!!!!

davidmagro

Jun 12th 2009, 07:18

A simple question to Alan Deidun. Do the NGO`s who are against this development have your support ? If yes, as you are in the PN structurey, what are you going to do ? Let it go as many other issues that we as Maltese are seeing imposed on us.

Joe Grech

Jun 12th 2009, 00:58

This is the kind of situation which is making the Prime Minister and the party in government look distinctly irresponsible and inefficient in the eyes of the Maltese. The P.M. will almost certainly declare that ''he cannot intervene in Mepa's decisions'' - as he declared in other cases. Remember there is the selfish interest of none other than the PN president Victor Scerri at stake! The P.M. is advised to give a good talking to to the PN president telling him that his irresponsible and selfish attitude is making the P.N./ administration look like shit in people's minds. Shame!
The NGOs need to protest in the streets of Valletta and report the case to the E.U. What will Busuttil, Casa and Deidun be doing about this scandal?
It will be irresponsible to ruin the Bahrija valley - do we care about the liitle natural environment we have left or don't we? We will be (yet again) the laughing stock of tourists if that ''development project'' (sic) goes through! The Opposition should also make its voice heard in such an important issue.

Alan Calleja

Jun 11th 2009, 23:57

What an eye-sore this development is in such a beautiful part of our islands. I took my father to the small fresh water stream (last Saturday) to show him where a colony of crabs live (a species which was present on the previous 5 cent coin), only to be shocked by the destruction of countryside. This is one of the very few places in Malta where these crabs are found and I feel that they may not continue to survive to the impact of this structure.
Do we need to continue to rape our environment? I, like many people frequent this area for a relaxing walk and to listen to running water and birds making their calls, but this can all be lost due to MEPA's decision. What do the residents of Bahrija have to say about this and the farmers who have worked the surrounding fields for many decaded?
Lets not let this project go ahead..........enough is enough! We need to learn from other nations (like Australia) how important our environment is and the respect needed. A lot of us Maltese selfishly only think about today...............

Joe Fenech

Jun 11th 2009, 23:57

Dan il-qerda tal-pajjiz qed tigri taht idejn sodi, ahseb u ara kieku kellna xi hadd dghajjef!!! Il-PN missu jirrezenja ha ngibu partiti godda.

Ara x'niehdu talli hafna jibqghu jivvutaw PN u PL!!

Steve Rogers

Jun 11th 2009, 23:42

@Tyrrell & Mizzi

You both got it right on the dot. After the Labour major victory was announced, I felt that the Govt would not change its ways, would find some poor excuse, concur some odd statistic to convince us that it in fact it did not lose (yeah right).

I felt that after Monday things in Malta would actually get worse. The Govt would decide it lost it and instead of changing its ways simply go ahead and wreck this country while ensuring that by the next election its members and families are all settled with nice cushy accounts and living in other EU countries far away from the havoc a Labour govt would inherit.

Franco Farrugia

Jun 11th 2009, 22:37

Why should the intervention of the PM be necessary? Where is MEPA? It is MEPA's responsibility to see that the countryside, what's left of it, is protected. Or is MEPA only interested in ensuring that the right kind of balcony is built in a simple dwelling in a village? Weak with the strong, and strong with the weak?

Chris Sant

Jun 11th 2009, 22:27

Dear Gonzi,

Please it's time to stop this. Pity Alan Deidun won't dare speak up against the party now, it seems we lost a good intellectual to the party propaganda and PN dirty politics

Ray Sultana

Jun 11th 2009, 22:02

Dear Prime Minister, if you really meant it when you said told us not to take Malta's beauty for granted, when you said no more development in ODZ areas, when you promised Mepa reform and when you said that the pendulum is swinging towards the environment, stop this rape of the Maltese Islands once and for all.

Precisely this spot is the only place in the Maltese Islands where I have ever seen the saltwater crab (that used to be on the old 5c coin). If this destruction takes place, I can probably forget about seeing another one in the future!

Shame on the PN president and on all of you at Mepa who are allowing this!!

S. Cutajar

Jun 11th 2009, 21:40

The MEPA monster is quickly transforming this country into a REAL UGLY CHARACTERLESS BRICK AND CONCRETE JUNGLE.

The MERGER between the defunct Environment Protection Department and the previous Planning Authority in 2003 for the creation of this MEPA MONSTER clearly failed all its objectives.

In real terms, besides that the protection of the environment was relegated to a historical low, in that occasion the whole country missed a golden opportunity to step up its efforts in protecting the limited environment left in our country.

That merger way back in 2003 clearly resulted in the loss and serious haemorrage of precious human resources that at that time were humiliated by this administration coupled with the loss in momentum required to fight illegalities and environmental terrorism in our country. The end result is for all to see.

Maybe the current administration needs to explain this freak accident to Cikku l-poplu.......!!!
Who was and is still responsible for this mess?

Saturday s message from the electorate was not clear enough Dr. Gonzi?

R Axisa

Jun 11th 2009, 21:06

Once upon a time, someone said "Par idejn sodi". I wonder whether these 'Par idejn sodi' really exist! We need proof of this statement.

Peter Gatt

Jun 11th 2009, 21:02

After destroying the villages and towns with mega projects and unsustainable development, we are now going to be deprived from recreating ourselves and refreshing our lungs by destroying the countryside. Hasn’t Madliena Valley been of a lesson, with Busietta Gardens destroying this picturesque valley as it has served as a precedent for other development ?!!

J Portelli

Jun 11th 2009, 20:59

GONZIPN future generations will haunt you forever - Stop raping our enviornment!!!

E. Gatt

Jun 11th 2009, 20:45

Gonzi se jkompli jitlef il-kontrol u l-voti.
ex Nationalist supporter

Jeff Inguanez

Jun 11th 2009, 20:27

I believe (but I'm starting to doubt)
that we live in a country where we enjoy the rule-of-law,
meaning that there are rules applying for everyone
and upheld by courts and public institutions.
It is evident, even from the NGO press release,
that this permit was granted according to law.
It is also evident that no objections were lodged by the same NGOs.
We cannot start living in a country where NGOs decide permits.
We cannot start living in a country where NGO-rule rather than the rule of law
is the order of the day.
We cannot start living in a country where everyone believes they're right
and institutions count for nothing.
We cannot start living in a country where objections are filed by press release rather than throught the proper objection procedure laid down at law.
I hate to believe that we live in a country where a permit is withdrawn if
one happens to be a politician.
I am a normal citizen owning my house, but I hate to believe
that, in my country, whether I am granted a permit to build is decided upon
by NGOs and not by the institutions the law itself sets up.

Anthony Mizzi

Jun 11th 2009, 20:07

A sure case of loss of GonziControl over MEPA and r Gonzipn factions.

It is not only a Prime Minister with firm hands that is needed, but one with backbone
to truly control the goings on at MEPA and the pubic perception of this Monster called MEPA.

GonziControl is also needed on Gonzipn factions as if the recent defeat of Gonzipn in the very recent MEP elections is still fresh in everyone’s mind. Will the arrogant attitude which was a prime reason for the lack of popularity and the recent historical defeat of GOnzipn continue to prevail?

This is another test for Dr. Gonzi . Will he be the knight in shining armor and come out on his steed to save the Bahrija valley for posterity ?

Dr. Alfred Sant managed to save Mistra Bay and he did this from the opposition benches when he was not ' in Office and in Power ' seat.

James A. Tyrrell

Jun 11th 2009, 20:05

@Andrew Gatt. If you don't mind me asking what the hell has this story got to do with hunting? Do you think it advances the cause of hunters to start mouthing on about hunters rights in a story, which has nothing to do with hunters, or CAB or birdlife or whatever.

This story is about Mr Gonzi continuing to do what he has always done, scratching the backs of friends. To hell with the environment. He probably knows that he is on the way out so he trying to get as many favours as possible done before that happens!

D Agius

Jun 11th 2009, 20:00

Now, dear Dr. Gonzi, after this outright rape to this unique valley, come waving and cheering with the MEPA ''reform''!

John Schembri

Jun 11th 2009, 19:45

The people are waiting to see your response, and whether you really care to do things fairly Prime Minister. We have had it up to here with these shenanigans. Show us you really meant it when you meant to make changes in MEPA. Changes for the better, not for the worse. You are directly accountable now. Your words mean very little, if not backed up by fair actions.

albert calleja

Jun 11th 2009, 19:35

The PN president may be technically and legally correct B U T he is clearly insensitive towards the environment or to his party's interests. This does not augur well for Malta since he is the president of one of the two parties in Malta who have control over our future. As someone said, we borrow the natural environment from our children and therefore we should not mess it up but preserve it as much as possible. If Mr Scerri insists on going ahead he is sending the wrong message to those who due to ignorance or egoism do not think twice before causing environmental damage including some developers, some hunters, etc. J Pullicino Orlando has already given the party a beating twice over. What we need now is the party president!! There is not much young Alan Deidun can do if the party does not really believe in the environment.

joe scerri

Jun 11th 2009, 19:33

mepa is public enemy no. 1
Cranes falling over - twice near a school in 2 weeks
dust and noise everywhere
damage to private property
streets and private garages blocked for months on end by contractors
coutry side (whatever is left of it) ruined for ever
ODZ

DON'T YOU GET THE MESSAGE YET ???!!!

J. Mifsud

Jun 11th 2009, 19:21

Where are the champions of the environment in the PN's hierarchy, especially the ones who contested for the MEP's election? Or are their hands tied behind their backs?
Try to ask for a permit to build another floor on a garage in a semi-detached house, and all hell breaks loose!!!! Try to ask for a permit to have a mobile tent in your driveway even without obstructing anyone? Even if it is for the use of a disabled child. Nini nini..........

But some people are more equal than others. The PN will never learn their lesson because arrogance is the order of the day. And it is too late in the day too. We the people are not morons, and last Saturday we have shown to all and sundry.......

a attard

Jun 11th 2009, 19:13

Protecting / preserving / respecting the little left of the Maltese Islands Country side should become a part of our constitution. Many would love to have a retreat in what is left of the Islands little left opens spaces, especially the picturesque parts in certain parts of the Islands. Isn’t the ruin of the once quite hamlets given to contemporary urban constructions such as towns like Qormi, Zebbug and all the rest enough to make us realize our mistakes?

Maltese town planners SHOULD have been smart enough to keep the character of hamlets such as Bahrija, Manikata Zebbiegh Burmarrad so on and so forth to compliment the rural environment they are (were) immersed in such as the once found in Spain, Italy and France. Apartments with underlying garages are making everywhere look the same with no style and character!! The problem is there is too little country side left to accommodate and since the Urban area is already covering a huge percentage from the land available the little left open space are under continuous threat. – leave us spaces to breath please………..

S.Cutajar

Jun 11th 2009, 18:56

STOP MEPA FROM RAPING FURTHER OUR ENVIRONMENT!!!
CLOSE MEPA DOWN!!!
RE-WRITE THE PLANNING REGULATIONS ONCE AGAIN.
GET RID OF THOSE BOARD MEMBERS WHO ARE SERVING PROPERTY SPECULATORS AND GREEDY DEVELOPERS!!!

THE MEPA 2003 MERGER FAILED. MEPA IS QUICKLY DESTROYING OUR PRECIOUS ODZ AND BUILT-UP ENVIRONMENT. STOP MEPA!!

Tony Caruana

Jun 11th 2009, 18:49

Let's See now Dr Gonzi if you are really ' in Office and in Power '

laurence schembri

Jun 11th 2009, 18:48

Come to the Villages and witness the destruction by speculators and the blessing of MEPA.
The problem is of course, that even the little power that Local Councils has is being eroded.
The case in Balzan is a fine example, it has been stopped momentarily, what is to come is another matter, MEPA has a system that, if the door is locked, enter through the window.
Part of the reform should be total abolishment of MEPA and start anew. Since its inception we had nothing but controversy. Stop this White Elephant.

Joe Morana

Jun 11th 2009, 18:47

Who can ever trust MEPA to safeguard what is left of our natural environment? Shame.
NGOs I am with you.

carmel zammit

Jun 11th 2009, 18:47

another brick in the wall.hi xi hadd qieghed jinduna li joe citizen are PEOPLE OF A LESSER GOD?

Peter Bonnici

Jun 11th 2009, 18:45

If the PM and PBO want to identify the biggest 'weggha' (pain), and address it, all they have to do is have a word with the party president. Ejja PM, who dares wins!

brian grima

Jun 11th 2009, 18:37

Here we go again.......x'tahseb Wenz?

J.P.Micallef

Jun 11th 2009, 18:35

Ashamed and disgusted. I'll try to apply for a permit, in the area, and see what happens, who knows. Flimkien kollox possibli. Insomma mhux flimkien, bejnietna kollox possibli. Malta 10points.

J.Spiteri

Jun 11th 2009, 18:29

And who is the privileged owner of this rustic house, may I ask?? If permission is ever granted for its development, than we can conclude that preservation of our countryside has really reached rock bottom. It's truly disgusting how such things are allowed to happen. SHAME!

G Seychell

Jun 11th 2009, 18:25

Shall we start a masssive campaign against this monster,like signature's ?

C Calleja

Jun 11th 2009, 18:24

Yes the Prim Minister should intervene.

I followed the story on KullHadd and One News and it is evident that an environmental disaster is being made on this site owned by PN president Scerri.

On the other hand i would like to note how certain people only speak after elections. The same happened with Mistra.

William Sultana

Jun 11th 2009, 18:23

If the area is an ODZ, protected area or whatever, the application should not have been considered in the first place, it should not have even been taken before the MEPA Board. Then there would not have been the need for NGO's to call for the PM to intervene.

Clear Policy Please! .... for everyone.

Wilfred L Camilleri

Jun 11th 2009, 18:22

Put MEPA out of it's misery now!!

Andrew Gatt

Jun 11th 2009, 18:21

Perhaps certain commentators will start to realise that respecting and protecting the environment is not simply about being anti-hunting and swallowing Birdlife and CABS's rubbish. It is not simply about lobbying for hunting to be banned in Spring, on September afternons, in the Majjistral Park etc etc. NO HUNTER has ever destroyed virgin countryside, on the contrary they stop the speculators moving in.

How ironic that this Government, first in the form of Minister Pullicino and now Prime Minister Gonzi, have allowed foreign-led extremist organisations free rein to slander and exaggerate and bad-mouth Malta, ALL Maltese hunters and the Maltese nation as and when they please, aided and abetted by some of the local media reknowned for their anti-hunting bias!!! (And note: I am referring to LEGAL HUNTING within the law.) Seema to me it is a convenient scapegoat to try and score points, all the while allowing obscenities like this to take place.

I condemn this development with all my heart. Same as Wied il-Ghasel, Same as the Nadur cemetery. Same as Qala. And so on. Hunting is sustainable. Raping our countryside is not. Period.

A.Attard

Jun 11th 2009, 18:17

It would be the begining of the end of this unique araea of conversation. Whoever is involved in granting permit for any development in such areas, would be a criminal in the eyes of the Maltese society. Other NGOs and members from both sides of the Maltese Parlament, should wake up and stand against this development unless they have a conflict of interest.

laurence schembri

Jun 11th 2009, 18:07

Any of you all think that the Prime Minister has the power to stop the destruction of our valleys forget it. It is a case of `talk to the monkey and not the organ grinder`

Keith Buhagiar

Jun 11th 2009, 18:06

And the rape of what is left of our countryside goes on...
Shameful indeed.

J.Camilleri

Jun 11th 2009, 18:06

Come on Mr.Prime Minister. Teach MEPA what ODZ means. Otherwise bad things continue coming in our minds.

Freddie Vella

Jun 11th 2009, 17:53

Now is the time to show that you have learnt the lesson of last Saturday, dear Prime Minister.

J. Borg

Jun 11th 2009, 17:49

We're equal, but some (especially blue types) are more equal than others.

Full support to Ramblers, FAA and Nature Trust.......by the way where's Din l-Art Helwa and Friends of the Earth?