Lino Bugeja, Marsascala
True defenders of the environment (2)
Every civilised country in the world perceives certain areas that should be treated as "national treasures" and it is the responsibility of environmental and conservation organisations to actively campaign on behalf of these special places. We hold Baħrija as one of these special places and the Ramblers' Association will not be deterred or intimidated by any false accusations in its mission to protect and conserve the Maltese countryside and coastal zones.
It is preposterous that a prominent citizen, a leading member of a political party, and a lawyer by profession to define an extremely peaceful protest walk held last month in Baħrija as "mob rule" (July 2), a blatant affront to the democratic process of our country. As president of the Ramblers Association, coordinators of this orderly manifestation against the impending rape of Baħrija Valley, I feel saddened and aggrieved by Victor Scerri's statement.
The Collins English Dictionary defines "mob" as a derogatory term, "a riotous or disorderly crowd of people; a rabble" and Dr Scerri's insistence on calling the protest as "mob rule" borders on the libellous.
Those who heeded our call, and these included MEPs, MPs and supporters from the whole political spectrum, have all been slighted by Dr Scerri's unwarranted and offensive attitude.
It is most unfortunate that in spite of RAM's cautious stance at all times, Dr Scerri has opted to be defiant and aggressive rather than conciliatory.
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Joe Agius
Jul 25th 2009, 11:08
Thank you Mr Cassar for that information. Now the Ramblers know they do not have to go on the wild goose chase Mr Vella wanted to sell them. Well, unless Mr Vella finally decides to reveal his inside knowledge. If he does not, we can all reach a logical conclusion.
Joe Cassar
Jul 25th 2009, 00:16
Just in case Mr Antoine Vella’s vague references to “two other cases” mislead the readers of The Times, here are some details about these cases (which are freely available on the MEPA website):
a) (PA/03520/00, Architect Mr Charles Buhagiar ) “To replace existing dangerous roof and construct an additional store at first floor level for agricultural purposes”.
b) (PA/05036/02, Architect Mr Carmel Cacopardo) “To demolish existing farmhouse and reconstruct on a smaller footprint, to construct rubble boundary walls, to demolish small rooms in fields, to set up sign indicating vineyard and to construct underground reservoir.”
As can be seen, they are both for agricultural purpose and are a totally different kettle of fish. Nor is there any indication that either of them is within 2 meters of the Bahrija watercourse.
Victor Laiviera
Jul 24th 2009, 21:30
@Mr Antoine Vella.
You are being very economical with the truth. The two other cases you mentioned in Bahrija are totally different from the case which has led to the resignatin of Dr Scerri.
In fact, they were dredged up solely to divert attention and as a damage-limitation exercise.
Antoine Vella
Jul 24th 2009, 21:17
Joe Agius
I don't need to give anything to the ramblers since they surely know about it. I have instead given it to the media (not The Times) and I will expect Mr Bugeja to resign once t becomes known.
Joe Agius
Jul 24th 2009, 19:14
@ D. Spiteri. I suspect you are missing the real point in Antoine Vella’s comments. Yes, his saying that he knows of other cases may be all bluff to defend Dr Scerri; but in so doing he seems to forget that not even Dr Gonzi wanted to defend him. On the other hand Mr Vella might really know something; and it is something MEPA knows! Now if Mepa knows, doesn’t Mr Walker know? And if Mr Walker knows has he kept it hidden from Dr Gonzi? @Mr Vella. Come on Mr Vella, be brave, give the Ramblers the info you have. Or if you prefer give it to the FAA or to Nature Trust; they too joined the protest march, remember? Or are they too political organisations? Ramblers are volunteers you should help them in their search for these very interesting permits. Is this the reason why you will not help the NGOs? No politics here, Mr Vella; just the environment.
D Spiteri
Jul 24th 2009, 18:27
@Antoine Vella. Put your money where your mouth is. If you're so keen to see justice meted out to all, you should furnish the NGOs with the information which you seem to have. Name names and permit numbers and then sit back to see whether environmental NGOs will act or not. After all, these NGOs need all the help they can get; they are made up of people who should be getting on with their life and their work like many others in Malta, but instead have to find them to trawl through MEPA reports and documents to keep an eye on unscrupulous DCC boards like the one that conveniently resigned after issuing dodgy, nay, permits. The ball is in your court.
Antoine Vella
Jul 24th 2009, 17:52
D. Spiteri I am sure that both the relevant authorities (i.e. MEPA auditor) and RAM/FAA know about these cases. After all they knew about Victor Scerri and about the case where MEPA refused permission for someone to install a window. In the latter case the information given by the megaphone was not entirely correct but never mind about that - just another inaccuracy to add to the list. I expect them to know because MEPA is transparent enough that all necessary information is accessible online, for those who want to look. At any rate the MEPA auditor has been alerted; let's see if they take action. The accusations are not vague: there are MEPA documents and reports and it is inconceivable that RAM does not know about them. My suspicion is that they do. Their silence is louder than the megaphone.
D. Spiteri
Jul 24th 2009, 14:23
@ Antoine Vella. If you have information about similar cases of illegal permits in Bahrija, you should approach the relevant authorities and environmental NGOs like RAM. It is not enough to simply cast doubts and hide behind vague accusations. The Ramblers Association spearheaded the protest at Bahrija and was unequivocal in its statements - unfortunately, the same cannot be said of your comments.
Antoine Vella
Jul 24th 2009, 12:17
Mr Bugeja is well-aware that, in Baħrija itself, there are other cases very similar to Dr Scerri's. Why were they not even mentioned by the ramblers and their allies? When one considers that PL and AD architects were involved in these other cases, a suspicion arises spontaneously: could it be that the protest organisers were not altogether free of political motivation?
Mr Bugeja knows that, for an NGO, credibility is everything and it is up to him to explain the apparent partiality shown on this occasion when a person belonging to a particular party was mobbed (the protesters carried posters, complete with photo, insulting Dr Scerri) while others were mercifully spared the wrath of the megaphone.
Can the public continue to view the Ramblers Association as a non-political organisation?
Joe Agius
Jul 24th 2009, 11:17
The use of the term ‘mob rule’ for a peaceful public disapproval of his initiative is another reason why Dr Scerri’s resignation should have been forced upon him; it does no credit to his democratic credentials.
His repetition that his permit has been strongly attacked because of the political position he occupies is not only a feeble one but also an unworthy line of defence. As a public figure he should have even expected a public outcry. He cannot very well say that he was unaware of the various requests for permits his architect was presenting in his case and the Case Officers’ reactions to them. From a public figure the public expects greater caution and greater sensitivity for the environment.
It should also be remembered that the Ramblers’ Association of Malta (RAM) had already taken a stand against development in this valley long before anything had transpired about Dr Scerri’s intention to erect a villa there. RAM had in fact acted in defence of the preservation of this valley, and in the interests of the Bahrija farmers, in opposition to the plans the Elisa company had for this Special Area of Conservation .