Juan Ameen
Mepa stops major Enemalta trenching works on Comino
Trench dug up to repair supply cable
The trench dug up in Comino. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli
Illegal trenching works by Enemalta on the tiny protected island of Comino were stopped by the planning authority, which served the corporation with an enforcement notice.
The excavation works, carried out without a planning authority permit, were stopped earlier this month, a spokesman for the Malta Environment and Planning Authority said.
Heavy machinery was shipped to Comino, which is classified as a special area of conservation, for the excavation works, which almost cut across the 3.5 square kilometre island.
The trench is about 10 centimetres wide, 30 to 40 centimetres deep and about 1.6 kilometres long.
It follows the route of the existing cable trench from the landing point of the submarine cable on Comino to its direct supply on the island.
The trench was dug up to carry out repairs on a damaged electricity cable that supplied Gozo and works started after the corporation received a trenching permit from Transport Malta, an Enemalta spokesman explained. The spokesman said anyone who wanted to excavate a trench in public areas or “rights of way”, that is roads, tracks, or footpaths, among others, must obtain a trenching permit.
“However, as soon as the stop notice was issued by the planning authority, works ceased immediately. No damage was caused because the trenching works follow the route of an existing trench excavated in the early 1980s,” the spokesman said.
“As with all trenching works, the site will be reinstated to its former condition,” the corporation added. Meanwhile, the planning authority spokesman said the matter was being investigated.
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Charles Micallef
Apr 23rd 2011, 16:11
If Mr Borg worked for a private entity, and did such a major foul, he would not need to quit, he would have been fired and nobody would be the wiser, against the major blunders committed by Enemalta planners who do not seem to have anyone to answer to!
Mr Carmel Pule'
Apr 23rd 2011, 13:30
“As with all trenching works, the site will be reinstated to its former condition,” the Corporation added. That is not what happened at Kalkara in front of our home at Progress Street!
Mr J. Borg
Apr 23rd 2011, 13:02
the culprits at Enemalta who were obliged to consult with MEPA should resign outright
the MEPA site officer vested to oversee Comino should resign unless (I expect that meavy machinery could have been detected at least with 48 hours that it was 'shipped' to Comino)
If none of the above happens - the buck stops at the respective Ministers responsible for each quango
Mr Jo Camm
Apr 23rd 2011, 14:46
If, according to you, any one who commits a mistake, should resign, Malta will have thousands of vacant jobs to fill.
Mr J. J. Borg
Apr 23rd 2011, 14:54
I'd like to see you quit your job as soon as you do something wrong.
Mr Ivan Calleja
Apr 23rd 2011, 21:25
RESIGN? - They should be fired from the Minister! If those responsible are incapable and incompetent in their work they should find another job! Its about time we start respecting the laws, especially where the environment is concerned! the people at Enemalta KNOW Comino is protected and they KNOW WELL that such trenching was ILLEGAL and agianst the law.....yet they just didn't care and started trenching!! Thats the truth! And obviously MEPA and who is responsible for managing Comino should have taken action immediately...but alas enforcement is non existant in environmental matters!! Come on who do you want to fool!!
Raymond Farrugia
Apr 23rd 2011, 12:09
who says that the 1980 trench did not do damage and is legal?
Mr David Desira
Apr 23rd 2011, 10:59
I was camping in Comino last summer, there were already trenching works going on leading to the substation Enemalta has on the island
D. A . Agius
Apr 23rd 2011, 10:50
Project manager needs to get managed :)
Come on, this is ridiculous. Can't Enemalta and MEPA talk? Is it so much of a big issue???
How much is this costing the Taxpayer in days of work lost, rental of machinery, paper and email pushing, consultancy fees etc.
So many brains in both authorities and not enough brains to give value for money to the Maltese people. We're the ones paying for that trench, with the bills we pay. We are the ones to pay for MEPA to operate, through our taxes. Can't they start showing a little bit of respect for our money which they are burning?
Sing Along please
Refrain: "Konna w ghadna nghixu... f'pajjiz tal- Mickey Mouse..."
Mr Vincent Cassar
Apr 23rd 2011, 10:42
Aren't these both Government entities??...so Govt has stopped Govt from digging an illegal trench.
Mr Paul Caruana
Apr 23rd 2011, 10:28
For crying out loud! Sometime ago, trucks where still dumping waste construction, and it took a Times report to stop them. Then we had MEPA actually allowing the dumping of sand by the Truckload, again in Dwejra, and I recall the MEPA official interviewed, again by The Times, actually sounding irritated that someone dares question his judgement.
Now that Enemalta is digging a small trench on Comino, mepa goes all pious and orders them to stop!
And we should take MEPA seriously.......
Stephen Koludrovic
Apr 23rd 2011, 09:59
Diggiing a 10cms wide trench on Comino is not OK, but destroying Manoel Island IS OK. RIGHT!!!!!!!!
Mr Pawlu Agius
Apr 23rd 2011, 10:27
Or Wied il-Ghasel valley in Mosta were buildings were allowed up to the edges of both banks of the valley, destroying much of its habitat and drying up completely its many springs (rain water used to seep slowly through the surrounding fields to cracks within the valley). If this is not enough, a quarry at it end has already destroyed what was its most beautiful part (the part named Wied Filep at Naxxar - not even a trace remains of its once unique stone of light blue colour).
And the destruction continues wherever you look. In the road leading from Attard to Mosta cemetry, fields are having their outer walls raised and later you see all kinds of heavy machinery and maybe be transformed into some school , badger karting, private villla, electricity distribution centre, etc. Maybe next will be the area where once was Flower Power.
I also don't understant why permits for swimming pools are given in Malta when we are just a pace away from the seaside. They end being left unused through much of the year, especially in winter, besides the expenses to keep it and the wastage of water (even if it is seawater, as leaks can damage the water table). I suggest the government to make some form of heavy tax on this trend of inutile luxury of swimming pools.
Mr Ivan Calleja
Apr 23rd 2011, 13:50
Mr. Agius the answer to your comments is one and very straightforward - the present government together with most, if not all the authorities, especially the blessed and beloved MEPA, have NO will at ALL to protect the environment!! Thats all and im 100% sure about this! Our environment and countryside is in shambles.....you just need to go to Sicily (with all its problems) to see the difference. Let alone going to European countries further North!! I wonder what the tourists come to see here apart from our history!! Because our authorities do not know what environment protection, discipline and enforcement is all about!! Its an island of bullies where everyone wants to do whatever he/she likes and God forbid if anyone tries to stop him or her!! I am personally fed up of this situation because our countryside and natural heritage has a very big potential for the tourist industry. But we continue to ruin in day in day out with disgraceful decisions, dumping, illegal developments, obstructed public pathways....and the list continues!!