The Parliamentary Secretary responsible for the planning authority sees “absolutely nothing wrong” in appointing the Malta Pyrotechnics Association’s legal representative to chair a Mepa working group on fireworks factories.
Michael Farrugia described Michael Falzon’s expertise as a “gold mine” and said he was sure the Labour MP would be “totally independent” and “not biased”.
I am sure that he will do a good job and be unbiased
“Dr Falzon is a gold mine of resources in this area and has my full trust. I am sure that he will do a good job and be unbiased,” the Parliamentary Secretary told Times of Malta.
When it was pointed out that Dr Falzon is the chairman of a group devising a new policy on building factories and not just a member, and previously said more fireworks factories were needed in outside development zones (ODZ), Dr Farrugia skirted the question.
He said the committee includes members who are against fireworks, though did not name them.
“After all, the working group’s report will not be final and it has to be discussed with the public before a new policy is approved,” he argued.
Sources close to Mepa told Times of Malta that apart from Dr Falzon, the group consists of four Mepa officials (Joseph Gauchi, Frans Mallia, Jonathan Henwood and Raphael Axiaq), and representatives of the police and the army.
The fireworks factories policy group is one of seven appointed by Dr Farrugia to review Mepa policies, including one on cemeteries and another on fuel stations.
But this one was the only Mepa working group that had an ‘outsider’ – not a planning authority official – appointed as chairman.
Speaking to Times of Malta earlier this week, a member of the Mepa board complained about Dr Falzon’s appointment, stating that as the legal representatives of firework enthusiasts, he could never be independent.
The Labour MP is on record saying Mepa should grant more permits for fireworks factories and yesterday Dr Farrugia seemed to be on the same wavelength.
He said that according to experts, “there should be more firework factories to minimise the risk of fatal explosions due to large storage facilities in a limited number of factories”.
Dr Falzon has also represented the Malta Pyrotechnic Association in consultations with the previous government and in television appearances.
Over the past three years, Mepa has tightened its policy on fireworks factories, infuriating pyrotechnic enthusiasts.
The authority turned down a number of applications to build new ones, mainly over concerns about safety for residents and farming communities.