Leo Brincat MP, Main Opposition spokesman for the environment, sustainable development and climate change, St Julians
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.
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A. Mizzi
Jun 17th 2009, 05:57
Appeal to all who have the Maltese Environment at Heart.
In August 2006 the Authorities justified extending the development zones with promises that it would limit building in the countryside. Since then, permits for non-agricultural buildings have continued to be issued, the latest being the scandalous permit to build a house in the protected area of Bahrija.
The NGOs emphasise that they are not against legitimate development, even in the countryside, but this is a Natura 2000 site that is supposed to enjoy the highest level of protection, which is why this development should never have been permitted outside the development zone. It is an affront to public morality as it violates no less than 16 Structure Plan policies and regulations relevant to rural areas, showing MEPA DCC’s disrespect and utter insensitivity towards the environment.
Our combined efforts can yield results.
Ramblers’ Association - Flimkien ghal Ambjent Aħjar – NatureTrust - MOAM
Charles Zammit
Jun 16th 2009, 19:14
@Mr. Martinelli
Can't you see that you are still living in the past with invented and unsubstatiated stories? Adjorn yourself live the present and look forward like all openminded people do.
Even if what you imagine were true two wrongs do not make one right. By deviating the article you would only be confirming the blunder being committed.
Be a man and have courage to call a spade a spade not try to deviate attention.
Galea. L
Jun 16th 2009, 19:12
joseph muscat
They always refer to the past because they have no answer to what is happening presently in order to defend their Gonzi.
J Martinelli,
are you by any chance referring to the vast area on which the University was built at Tal-Qroqq expropriated by the PN government and still not paid for because the PN government offered the owners a mere pittance for an area worth millions?
laurence schembri
Jun 16th 2009, 17:16
@ Martinelli
You arguments are shallow. In other words what you are saying is, carry on and destroy the few vales we have left, wonder what your comment would be had this been Jason instead of Victor. Your party has been in power for 25 years to put thing right, why didn`t they?
Joseph Calleja
Jun 16th 2009, 16:20
I wonder if one of these NGO's would be interested in installing some kind of railing on the Marfa/Cirkewwa pathway (promenade). Mr Brincat the next time you are driving from Marfa to Cirkewwa, park your car and walk along this beautiful promenade and you realize how dangerous this walkway is, maybe you can convince somebody in the government or someone that cares about safety how dangerous this walkway is..Talk about unfinished business.
joe Muscat
Jun 16th 2009, 16:15
@ Mr. Martinelli........
Which land and fields are you referring to? the Mater Dei Grounds....????
carmel zammit
Jun 16th 2009, 16:08
to all two wrongs dont make a right.who came first the chicken or the egg?
joseph muscat
Jun 16th 2009, 16:08
@ all those comments on this article. Do these people actually realise that labour was in government over 20 years ago? Why keep mentioning the past ad nauseum? Those days are over and the people voted Labour out. Democracy spoke. Get over it and look forward in life. What message are these comments trying to give ? That it is ok for scandals to happen now because they also happened during labour times over 20 years ago? Comments like these just show how politically immature some people are and apparently will remain. And maybe this is why The nationalist party did so badly lately. The government's arrogance is in focusing more on what PL says instead of on what it should be doing to face the problems our country faces. Pointing fingers does not solve problems....And mentioning the past is unfair because the past did not start in 1971....With this attitude one can only see how the government does not want to address at hand and is playing bad loser....
J Martinelli
Jun 16th 2009, 15:34
How about Dr. Brincat 'unearthing' some scandals by previos LP administrations who built roads on soil? Who were the ministers, contractors, architects and owners of the expropriated fieds and the price paid for their land?
Tony Caruana
Jun 16th 2009, 10:10
'' all other NGOs that for some reason or other did not join forces with them in opposing the Baħrija scandal ''
Birdlife seems to have kept quiet on this one . I wonder why ?
J Farrugia
Jun 16th 2009, 09:53
Leo Brincat says that the MLP unearthed the Bahrija scandal. How come the MLP did not unearth the scandals made by former labour diehards? Can he give us some examples of such labour scandals? Being negative will get you nowhere.
Matthew Borg
Jun 16th 2009, 09:37
"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."
Mr. Brincat, with all due respect, all political parties just seem to take note of the individual on an election eve, and the PL is no exception to this.