How PL unearthed Baħrija scandal

Giving credit where credit is due is the most basic and elementary of norms.

While appreciating and fully supporting the uproar and protests by some of Malta's leading NGOs in calling for the PM's direct intervention regarding the decision to grant building permission for a rustic house directly on the valley floor of Wied tal-Baħrija, please allow me to remind esteemed readers that it was the PL that first unearthed this scandal, way before the EP elections, in its visual, sound and printed media. The same way that it had done over the Wied il-Għasel scandal.

Although there is no point in repeating the various and endless technical objections highlighted by The Ramblers' Association, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar and Nature Trust Malta, I would like to single out Lino Bugeja of the Ramblers' Association for his heartfelt pleas and calls for a common sense approach to all things environmental and the need for the preservation of our beautiful countryside.

Having known Mr Bugeja since my childhood days I can vouch that he has never had any political agenda in whatever he says. His statements shine for their deep sense of commitment and incisiveness such as his recent comment to Il-Ġens on the Wied tal-Baħrija plunder which he considered as something "untouchable to us mortals". The same can be said for his no-nonsense attitude to other environmental, cultural and heritage issues.

As all the NGOs involved know, the PL is not only interested in touching base with them on an election eve, but on the contrary we are deeply committed to ensuring that such consultations will be part of an ongoing process. The same applies to all other NGOs that for some reason or other did not join forces with them in opposing the Baħrija scandal involving the family of a most senior PN official.