Sunday, 28th June 2009 - 12:43CET

NGOs slam architect, demand investigations

A number of environmental groups have slammed Siggiewi mayor Robert Musumeci for his request to the police to investigate environmentalist Astrid Vella.

The NGOs BirdLife Malta, Din l-Art Ħelwa, Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar, Friends of the Earth Malta, Gaia Foundation, Nature Trust Malta and the Ramblers Association said the authorities should investigate the notorious planning applications from the mayor's district that went against planning policies and were approved by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority boards, and not environmental campaigners who brought these cases to the public's attention.

Mr Musumeci is the architect behind a controversial project in Bahrija valley belonging to Nationalist Party president Victor Scerri. Besides his request to the police about Ms Vella over a comment submitted on timesofmalta.com, he has also filed a libel suit.

The NGOs said that in 2005, Mr Musumeci had 23 planning applications most of which were outside development zones in Siġġiewi.

These were recommended for refusal by Mepa planning officers but were approved by different boards within the authority. There were other cases since.

"This means that Mepa boards approved planning applications that were against theauthority’s own policies," the NGOs charged.

The NGOs asked if the authorities had initiated investigations about Mr Musumeci’s private business activities during his mayorship.

“Mr. Mussumeci should set an example as a mayor and is obliged to adhere to a strict code of ethics as established by the Local Councils Act.

"Instead he seems to be using technicalities to replace ethical considerations on environment, and deploying bullying tactics to silence environmental campaigners” they concluded.

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Article © Allied Newspapers Ltd., printed on Tuesday, November 24, 2009. This article is for personal use only, and should not be distributed.

Comments

Stephen Borg Cardona (on 29/6/09)

Once Dr Scerri holds a high profile political post out of respect towards his party he should rectify matters. Being President of a political party means having a responsibility to not only act in an exemplary manner but also to be seen to do so.

Carmelo Aquilina (on 29/6/09)

@ Gladys Borg

Everyone has the right to sue for libel but if you are in the public eye not above free comment . Mr Musmeci seems to have the police at his beck and call and managed to get them to ask someone who had taken his photo in a public place to erase the photograph. Now he's asking the police to investigate Astrid Vella. This he has not right to do - it is not a criminal matter it is civil. The way he is going about makes you think that he has a hot line to the authorities in a way that no public citizen has.

Joseph Azzopardi (on 28/6/09)

If A Walker and Dr Gonzi want to re-gain public confidence in MEPA, its boards should issue a signed public written statement listing the reasons why the recommendations of the professionals working within the DC are overturned and a suggested refusal becomes an approval. This should apply for every overturning. That is the sort of accountability the public wants and has a right to. Unless we are to assume that most people processing files at MEPA are incompetent which I am sure is not the case.

em anuel bajada (on 28/6/09)

wanting to develop a bingo hall at Hagar Qim is impossible. But if you want to give it a shot your best chances to get it approved is by employing either of 2 architects, Messers. .........sorry I am afraid to name them lest I find myself being investigated for libel like that big little women, our Astrid.

D. Zammit (on 28/6/09)

To D. Grech;

What right do you think you have to write in my name as 'Malta is backing you'?

I surely am not as I feel that anyone has the right for a living and no one is above the system. Astrid Vella is no exception and if she feels that something is wrong, then she may take the wrong doer to court herself. These NGOs think that they run the country, but they DO NOT.

If they feel that they should, no one is stopping them from contesting any election and hope that they get elected. Guess what . . . they will not!!

P Bonello (on 28/6/09)

First he doesn't want to be photographed, now he doesn't want his name mentioned. What else Musumeci??

Charles Micallef (on 28/6/09)

@Gladys Borg

Quote "Correct me if I'm wrong but an architect is employed to draw up plans and forward to MEPA for approval. Any architect can draw up plans for a bingo hall in hagar qim temples but its up to MEPA to give or not give the permission for the plans to become reality. Unqoute

In real life what you quoted is correct, however have we forgotten that we live in an Island where influence with friends of friends and money rules as has been proved a million times over? Why else does an architect keep the pressure up and keep submitting an application that has been submitted under different names and was turned down 4 times?

Is this the correct method for an Architect to submit an application for a Bingo Hall at Hagar Qim? or do we live on a different planet?

Joseph E Briffa (on 28/6/09)

@Gladys Borg..Excuse me but you're saying a lot of nonsense. For your information an architect is a professional person and is familiar with what is permissible by law and what is not. He is duty-bound to give good advice to his client in the same way as a lawyer is duty-bound to give sound advice to his client. Imagine a lawyer advising his client to ask the courts to sanction an illegal act like say permission to injure someone or to damage property on the off chance that the court might possibly agree...When an architect files an application for something illegal like a development in a ODZ - on the off chance of having it approved - he/she would be letting his/her client down, involving his client in unnecessary expense, wasting the precious time of MEPA officials, acting in contempt of MEPA regulations, encouraging MEPA to break the rules. I ask you, is this professional conduct? And if the architect acts in this manner repeatedly, don't you think he/she should be struck off the register?

Gladys Borg (on 28/6/09)

@ James Tyrell

I never said he was and if there is proof of wrongdoing he should be charged !!!

I just think it is unfair to blame someone who has no direct authority on whether the project happens or not. I also think its an abuse of power to use your highly public profile to damage a person's credibilty as Astrid has allegedly done.

Correct me if I'm wrong but an architect is employed to draw up plans and forward to MEPA for approval. Any architect can draw up plans for a bingo hall in hagar qim temples but its up to MEPA to give or not give the permission for the plans to become reality.

I think Astrid's beef is with MEPA and unless she has a hidden agenda she should not attack Mr Musumeci personally and get her NGO friends to further damage this person without first having proof of wrongdoing. Of course he should sue!!

James A. Tyrrell (on 28/6/09)

@Gladys Borg. You ask the question, 'what exactly makes Mrs Vella and other NGO's above the law’? Strange question Gladys as I doubt very much if Mrs. Vella, FAA or any other NGO's have ever considered themselves above the law.

A better question would have been, what exactly makes Mr Musumeci above the law?

@C.Fenech. You say that, 'these people should learn to keep their noses out of other peoples' business.' But surely you must agree that the protection of the ever diminishing and fragile Maltese environment is everyone's business. How would you feel if an illegal development was being carried out beside your home, which was going to affect your way of life forever? Would you be happy about it? Would you be happy when your complaints fell on deaf ears at Mepa? Probably not. I suspect though you would be very happy if an NGO managed to get the development stopped on your behalf, or would you tell them to mind their own business?

Edward Mallia (on 28/6/09)

I would like to suggest once more that NGOs would do better to insist on explanations for Musumeci's one signal defeat as well as for his many successes. Nobody has suggested that there was anything irregular about the MEPA permission to raise dwelling heights on Transfiguration Avenue, Lija. Musumeci had even started work on the dwelling in question.
Yet he was stopped -- this in the run up to the March 2008 election-- and is still stopped, with the work wrapped in plastic. Can anyone-- Musumeci, Minister Pullicino, at the time of stoppage responsible for MEPA, Dr. Gonzi now responsible for MEPA, or the mayor of Lija who most commendably stood up to Musumeci and his friends-- tell us how it was done?

edwin formosa (on 28/6/09)

Nispera li dawn l-ambjentalisti Maltin mhumiex bhal Hodor barranin ipokriti li jipprotegu b'tant zelu l-hajja tas-sigar u l-annimali u fl-istess hin jippromovu l-qtil ta trabi innocenti qabel jitwieldu, minn ommijiethom stess.

Charles Micallef (on 28/6/09)

@ C.Fenech

You should add the following to your comment................

Well done Robert, these people should learn to keep their noses out of other peoples' business and you also have been allowed to build on the ODZ land in Bahrija Valley to an application that has been submitted in different names to confuse the objectors and turned down 4 times.

This is the perfect example for Mr Joe Public coming from someone who has been trusted in the capacity of a Major!

Joseph E Briffa (on 28/6/09)

I already wrote in the context of Mepa turns down Balzan development that architects who file requests that blatantly go against development regulations should be warned by MEPA that they risk losing their warrant.. This should apply particularly in the case of architects who do so repeatedly. Such architects are making mockery of our regulations. They are not only acting unprofessionally but are dragging the name of their profession in the mud. They should be struck off the register forthwith. The Chamber of Architects should take steps against these cowboys and warn them that one more slip and they would lose their warrant. The Chamber can do without the membership of these characters

Gladys Borg (on 28/6/09)

This is ridiculous.... what exactly makes Mrs Vella and other NGO's above the law ??

Mr. Musumeci, like every other citizen in a free country, has every right to sue for libel if he feels Astrid's comment damaged him in any way.

Whether he is right or not is up to the courts to decide not the NGO's.

Galea. L (on 28/6/09)

Courage Astrid.
Those who value the environment are all behind you.
Where is the EU Representative to report these absurd and illogical environment destruction cases to the EU?

D Camilleri (on 28/6/09)

what does it take to ask for a police investigation? Investigate how someone can have his planning applications approved when case officers refused them time and time again, very very suspicious.
Astrid keep it up, you put our selfless politicians to shame.

J Portelli (on 28/6/09)

Architects and Musumeci have lost credabilty, in this country

E Aquilina (on 28/6/09)

I take the opportunity to applaud and support the MEPA officers who are taking their jobs and social responsiblity so seriously. Great shame to see their efforts subotaged.

James A. Tyrrell (on 28/6/09)

It is because of cases like this that Malta remains a laughing stock from an environmental viewpoint worldwide. The general consensus whether rightly or wrongly is that corruption is rife at all levels of officialdom in Malta.

This ill thought out action by Robert Musumeci will have the opposite effect to the one he was hoping for as it has brought these irregular practices to the fore in a way the NGO's could never have done. Ms. Vella, FAA and indeed all the NGO's will come out of this in a much stronger position.

Can I suggest that the police charge Mr. Musumeci with wasting police time and instigate a full investigation into his business practices?

Joseph Saliba (on 28/6/09)

Can't you smell the sparks of the assassination of Robert?
Joseph

Joe Grech (on 28/6/09)

Do not be intimidated Astrid,you are doing your job very well.
Malta is backing you.

C.Fenech (on 28/6/09)

Well done Robert, these people should learn to keep their noses out of other peoples' business.

D Delia (on 28/6/09)

What crimes has Astrid Vella committed to merit a Police investigation?

Deo Catania (on 28/6/09)

What a shame, on one side a Mayor, on the other side an architect applying for ODZ projects in the same village he is supposed to maintain to a high standard. And as if that's not enough he is sueing an envirnonmentalist!!!!! This is Malta in 2009 and member of the EU. PROSIT PN.

NGOs slam architect, demand investigations

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