Mepa reform proposals 'lack detail'

The Malta Chamber of Planners has called for more detail on the Mepa reform.

It said that while it agreed with the general thrust of the reform document, it had very little substantiating details to back the proposed measures.

"Those involved in the drafting the document seem to have little knowledge or familiarity with the organisation per se and in parts it seems some measures have been based solely on public perception, marred with demagogue notions which seek primarily to demonise the current organisation."

The Chamber said this reform should have been accompanied by an exhaustive appraisal of the benefits and the cost in both money (remuneration and other operational costs) and human resources be.

"Partial implementation of this reform could be disastrous. The proposed overhaul of almost all of Mepa structures would, in our opinion represent too high a price in human resources and pecuniary costs, while shifting, and not reducing, the existing operational costs to other entities and new units."

The Chamber said Mepa could regain credibility through this reform and deliver sustainable development, but the reform must have the applicants and not statistics at its core and these must get tangible and real benefits.