Government and Mepa

The main issue surrounding the government's Mepa reform proposals is its own direction with regard to the environment and development. Through its proposals, the government will simply clearly define a role which it already had, namely controlling Mepa's policies. Previously, it used to hide behind Mepa whilst pushing its agenda, as was the case with the land rationalisation process.

The recently approved permit at Ta' Xerri il-Bukkett on the Qala promenade is a case in point, whereby the government's local plans justified development in an area which was previously classified as ODZ (Outside Development Zone). The local plans should be revised to stop unsustainable development in ODZ areas, as further anomalies such as the one at Qala promenade will be created.

On the other hand my organisation agrees with some of the proposed reforms at Mepa, but in concrete terms one has to see how these will be implemented. The government's crass disregard of various EU environmental directives - the SEA directive being a case in point - does not augur well for the implementation of Mepa reforms proposed by the same government. In fact, it is very disappointing to see that the implementation of EU environmental directives is missing from the Mepa reform.

The government's proposal regarding Environmental NGO (ENGO) representation on the Mepa board is an example of co-option and institutionalisation. If the government is really in favour of ENGO representation, there should be more than one representative, and these should be chosen by NGOs themselves. Besides, social and cultural NGOs should also be represented on the Mepa board.

Mepa reform is all about working in line within its own policies and having accountable decision-makers. In both respects, Mepa has failed miserably, and the government's direction does not augur well. The Nationalist government has given way to unsustainable development and environmental degradation in the interest of big business interests.