Kurt Sansone
PM dodges question on board members' accountability
The Prime Minister has accepted the internal auditor's report on the Baħrija development and expects the Malta Environment and Planning Authority to fulfil the recommendations made.
However, Lawrence Gonzi would not say whether action would be taken against the individuals who sat on the Development Control Commission board that illegally approved the last permit in 2007.
Mepa auditor Joe Falzon found the board had acted outside the law when it approved the permit for an extension to a farmhouse, which was to be built on land that belonged to former Nationalist Party president Victor Scerri.
The auditor said no action could be taken because the DCC members in question had since been replaced. Dr Gonzi avoided answering a question on what he planned to do in terms of accountability with regard to the board's illegal action, especially since he was the minister responsible for Mepa.
The Development Planning Act stipulates that half of the DCC board members are appointed by the Prime Minister and the other half by the authority itself.
The same board that approved the Baħrija permit had also been involved in the granting of a controversial permit for a supermarket in Safi in an outside development zone - which had prompted their resignation - and also in the controversial outline development permit for a disco in Mistra.
A spokesman for the Office of the Prime Minister would only say that Dr Gonzi was "determined to implement the electoral commitment with regard to Mepa in order to make it more consistent, efficient, accountable and stronger in terms of enforcement".
The DCC board in September 2007 was chaired by Philip Azzopardi and its members were Carmel J. Portelli, Anthony Mifsud, Charles Calleja and Christopher Spiteri. Contrary to what was reported yesterday, Charles Micallef St John was only appointed to the board in November 2007.
Mr Falzon accused the DCC boards of completely ignoring all policies meant to protect and safeguard the environment when they approved four permits for development at Baħrija valley between 2000 and 2007.
"The assessment of this application by the DCC should read: How to damage the natural environment with the blessing of the authorities responsible to safeguard it," Mr Falzon said.
The report was published by the government on Wednesday.
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Joe Cassar
Jul 26th 2009, 10:06
Ms Mary Pace seems to be unaware that half the members of the DCC boards are hand-picked by the PM himself while the other half are appointed by the board of MEP - which is hand-picked by the PM himself ........
Robert Callus
Jul 25th 2009, 19:21
Does resigning mean that you are not responsible anymore for what you did? If I joined an organisation that believe in say, murdering people and I do such acts, am I no longer legally/criminally responsible for my murders since I would have resigned from the organisation?
Doesn't really make sense, no
D Camilleri
Jul 25th 2009, 18:45
thats transparency and accountability for you, the board illegally approves a permit, and then resigns.
The permit stands cause it was approved and the anonimous mepa board are untouchable cause they resigned.
and we lived happily ever after, waving our flags and going round in carcades,
carmel tonna
Jul 25th 2009, 16:45
Mr. Falzon is surely not infallible. But he is neither corrupt!
Charles Micallef
Jul 25th 2009, 16:23
@N. Farrugia
Forgetting Mr Falzon's report, Do YOU believe that this permit in an ODZ was issued according to Mepa Rules & Regulations?
If you reply in the affirmative, you must then be one of a minority of people who's heart is ruled by political biased and not by common sense?
N.Farrugia
Jul 25th 2009, 12:58
I have one query to bring forward. Is the auditor, Mr. Falzon infallible? Is he always right?
James A. Tyrrell
Jul 25th 2009, 12:52
So it would appear that the former members of the DCC board will escape any form of justice for their wrongdoing. Will this also apply to the ordinary person in the street who breaks the law?
Mary Pace
Jul 25th 2009, 12:26
A pre-election declaration of accountability by the PM calls that the members of this board should face prosecution. Even if the vote was unanimous, anybody who could have disagreed with these decisions witin the board should have resigned giving valid reasons why he/she did. Failure to do so has made them an accomplice to this web of corruption and they should be made an example of.
The only way people will ever regain trust in MEPA is if these individulas are criminally convicted for crimes against the state and outright corruption.
The PM is a man of great integrity and a man who commands respect because of his undying comitment to the rule of law. This grave misconduct from Board members who hold such a prominent position should not remain unadressed. This should set an example to the rest of the authorities who are recieving backhands and who need to wake up and smell the coffee.
They are public servants and should behave as such!
J. Borg
Jul 25th 2009, 12:06
So the DCC members and the politicians that appointed them want to walk away without shouldering (i.e. paying) for their "mistakes".
On the other hand Carmel Cacopardo, who fulfilled his role within the Auditor's office with integrity, capability and above all without FAVOURS - was kicked out of his job - precisely because he did not dance to the tune that politicians wanted him to play!
Dr. Gonzi -
it is high time you start doing some proper steps - including reinstating Carmel Cacopardo - if you really mean to reform MEPA.....but alas politicans' words and actions are poles apart!
Joe Agius
Jul 25th 2009, 11:46
Again, Well done and Thank you Mr Sansone. Keep the pressure up. The voluntary NG0s need a journalist like you; you give them support, courage and strength.
Charles Micallef
Jul 25th 2009, 10:56
...........................and whatever happened to the architect who use to say that the permit was issued because he was good at his job?