Updated: New Mepa CEO will strengthen authority's environmental work

Ian Stafrace's appointment as CEO of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority strengthened Mepa in its work in favour of the environment, the environment secretariat said.

In a statement issued in reply to the Labour Party's criticism of the manner in which the new CEO was appointed, the secretariat said that the appointment was carried out with full respect to Mepa legislation and the Constitution.

The PL said this morning that Dr Stafrace had been appointed without a public call and the process lacked transparency.

The government said that in his new role, Dr Stafrace would continue to be instrumental in the implementation of the Mepa reform. The government had chosen Dr Stafrace on the basis of his capabilities and he would be assisting the government and the Mepa board to implement the necessary changes.