Qala development investigation concluded two days before appeal was lodged - RAM
The ridge in Qala where the controversial development was to take place.
The investigation by Mepa’s audit officer into development in Qali had been concluded two days before the appeal was lodged, the Ramblers' Association (RAM) said this evening.
In a statement expressing shock at Mepa's rebuke of its audit officer because “he should have never carried out an investigation, and more so published his report, given that this case is in front of the Appeals Board”, RAM said that an explanation was morally due.
Mepa yesterday rebuked its audit officer for carrying out an investigation and publishing a report into the permit for a development at Qala Ridge in Gozo, once the case was still before the Appeals Board.
The investigation was requested by nine environmental NGOs and the Qala council.
RAM said this evening that the objectors lodged their appeal to the Appeals Board on October 14. On October 19, RAM asked the audit office what stage had the investigation reached.
The office replied that the investigation was concluded and that the report was passed on to the chairman of Mepa for his comments on October 12.
Did the chairman expect Mr Falzon to forecast that an appeal was to be lodged, RAM asked.
The organisation asked what was Mepa playing at adding that matters confirmed a suspicious twist.
RAM said it seemed that the only reliable person within an authority whose leaders had lost all credibility was having his own credibility undermined by the same heads, past and present, and their political mentors.
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Joe Agius
Nov 14th 2009, 09:10
@J. Caruana
I believe that you have read this piece very hastily. Chronology:
2 August: Request for investigation
12 October: Auditor finalise investigation and sends Report to Mepa Chairperson for his comments before making document public.
14 October: Appeal lodged
3 November: Report published. This means that the Auditor had informed the Chairperson that if he received no comments from him in 3 weeks' time he would take it that the report could be published.
As simple as all that.
Who is trying to fool who?
Ray Sultana
Nov 13th 2009, 23:56
This case is bringing out the worst of Mepa and Lawrence Gonzi. It is absolutely shocking that instead of doing their duty and protecting the environment the PM and Mepa want to play such dirty games.
c galea
Nov 13th 2009, 21:06
I fully agree with Ramblers and the auditor.
These people have nothing to gain. Can't you, all mepa sympathisers, understand that all they are trying to do is to safeguard what the creator gave us.
isn't it odd how one property ended as a hamlet / settlement. How convenient ! In Qala, the kuncizzjoni area is a hamlet, where there is at least forty properties.
Martin Abela
Nov 13th 2009, 21:00
The MEPA auditor always states that this rule and the other were broken, but he decides to not an application it's statutary period for appeal and even those not care about a previous rebuke by the ombudsman.
The auditor should be ashamed of himself, and by the way since when has he become so efficient, he concluded a report in record time.
This new paladin of the environment as more a joke than a seroius person and if he is serious he should resign, you do not preach to others to follow the rules and than rough shod them Mr Auditor.
A.E. Camilleri
Nov 13th 2009, 20:34
RAM is completely on the correct track. MEPA and the Qala permit is disgusting, and the whole application should be revived and looked into afresh, if this is now possible. If it is too late in the day, then the public in general that another scandal has been achieved by MEPA and whoever is responsible. The Bukkett dossier stinks, and the latest news on that issue confirmed that. Justice my foot!
alfred e camilleri
Nov 13th 2009, 20:09
Well done RAM !! Keep up the pressure on MEPA and expose its irregularities. You are together with other NGO's the only guardians of our countryside, MEPA seems to have a mission to the contrary.
M Saliba
Nov 13th 2009, 20:06
MEPA does not want to be investigated sometimes... Lol
Jason Borg
Nov 13th 2009, 19:30
Ghadkom ma xbajtux thassru l-isbah inhawi ta` pajjizna?
Adrian Wirth
Nov 13th 2009, 19:07
Once again we seem institutionally incapable of adopting transparency in the affairs of Government Ministries, Public Authorities, Parastatal Bodies and Agencies such as MEPA. The secrecy and 'don't dare challenge' culture is lodged into the 'self survival and position preservation culture' of senior managers of the majority of our structures of government. Until those 'chinese walls' are broken down and the vertical silo structures of our public service departments changed into horizontally inter-communicative open centres of excellence, we cannot expect any change in the way in which public expectancies are treated.
Joe Caruana
Nov 13th 2009, 18:51
Is the Ramblers' Association trying to take us for a ride?!! First of all, if what they are stating is true, the Audit Officer should have waited for the 30-day statutory period allowed for appeals to be filed to pass completely. The Audit Officer knows planning laws well and he therefore knows that an appeal may be lodged within this period.
Secondly, I do not believe that the dates are as stated by Ramblers because on the MEPA website for PA7810/06 - which is the application in question - the third party appeal was received on the 14th October while the Audit Report is dated 3rd November which is more than 2 weeks after the appeal was lodged. Who are you trying to fool?!!!!!!
Roderick Bajada
Nov 13th 2009, 18:24
The Audit officer has gained national support because of his untyreing work and serious way of doing things. Malta has long needed such an official! When I read the original report on the MEPA statement, I said the same thing, what kind of twist is there in all this? But then again we all know MEPA by now...